Yes, the RAF and RN let you have a preference, but the driving factor is always service requirement. In all the streaming and role disposal boards I've been involved with, I can only remember one case where someone's preference was actually taken into account.
I'm just surprised that the story is written as if the Prince was told he had passed, then asked "well, what would you like to fly next?" Anyone else could "choose" Apache and then go where the need is greatest or where their skills fit better.