Prince William stars in own mini-film - directed by Lord of the Rings' Sir Peter Jackson

By Mirror

Blenheim, New Zealand: Prince William turned movie star today when he starred in his own mini-film - directed by Lord of the Rings' Sir Peter Jackson.

The Duke of Cambridge played the lead role as a First World War fighter ace with the hit film-maker recording his every move on an iPhone.

William climbed into the cockpit of a First World War biplane and looked down the machine gun sight as Kate watched.

The royal couple were visiting the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Blenheim, New Zealand, and toured the Knights of The Sky exhibition - Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson's display of First World War aircraft.

Outside the tourist attraction a number of planes were lined up on the grass from the First and Second World Wars and the royal couple were led over to the aircraft.

William, 31, was invited to climb into a German Fokker tri-plane but turned down the chance out of patriotism, saying, "I'm not climbing into a German plane but I'll get into that Sopwith."

The royal couple headed to a replica Sopwith Pup, a bi-plane that would have been flown by British pilots during the Great War.

Built in the 1960s it was designed to look like the plane used by New Zealand flying ace Malcolm McGregor, awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and bar and credited with downing 10 enemy aircraft and an observation balloon.

William climbed on to the wing and as he swung a leg over to squeeze himself into the small cockpit, the nearby dignitaries laughed.

Jackson, who had shown the royal couple his collection of planes and memorabilia from wartime pilots filmed everything on his smartphone.

William, a former RAF Search and Rescue helicopter pilot, could not contain his excitement and said "Start her up", but the plane stayed firmly on the ground.

Kate, holding an umbrella against a light drizzle, peered over her husband's shoulder and he talked her through the controls of the aircraft.

When it came to the moment he had to heave his tall frame out of the cockpit the Duke joked, "Now to get out of here, there's no dignified way to do this."

The royal couple had more room to manoeuvre when they climbed inside a Second World War Avro Anson Mark 1 bomber, the only surviving airworthy example in the world.