Prince William to train with SAS

He has piloted Chinooks, executed drug busts in the Caribbean and occasionally braved the paparazzi outside Bouji’s nightclub. Now Prince William faces his greatest challenge: he is to spend time training with the SAS, the Royal Navy’s Special Boat Squadron and the elite Special Reconnaissance Regiment.

The second in line to the throne will spend as much as six weeks with the three Special Services as part of his training across all branches of the military in preparation for when, as King, he will be the head of the Armed Forces. While the SAS has a permanent presence in Baghdad and has been involved in regular secret operations against al-Qaeda amd the SBS is deeply involved in operations in Afghanistan, the Prince is expected to serve with them away from the theatres of war.

That said, it appears he can expect no kid gloves from the ‘Who Dares Wins' brigade. Although an officer with the RAF and Royal Navy, his rank will count for nothing in the SAS. "He is not going to be a junior officer. He will be there in a visiting role, to observe," says a spokesman for the Ministry of Defence.

Next year the prince's training will focus on the less action man elements of kingship, including working at the Foreign Office and a series of briefings by privy councillors such as former prime minister Sir John Major.