Prince William has taken part in a rescue exercise with the Royal Navy to help victims of a hurricane.

He flew to Montserrat in the Caribbean to practice what to do in case a storm hit the island.

Such a storm could leave hundreds of people dead or seriously injured and flatten around 95 per cent of the buildings on the island.

The main role of HMS Iron Duke in the region is disaster relief, although the frigate launched a successful anti-drugs operation last week which netted a £50 million haul of cocaine.

This week's exercise saw personnel from the Royal Navy warship on which the Prince is based land on the island and assist local emergency services directing drills.

Commander Mark Newland from HMS Iron Duke said the Prince - Sub-Lieutenant William Wales as he is known on board - is a first class student.

"Sub-Lieutenant Wales, as part of his remit on board, has been involved in the planning from the outset, and that's primarily in developing a plan and understanding of the nature of the infrastructure on Montserrat," he said.

"With Sub-Lieutenant Wales, it's reasonably easy - what you have is an army officer who understands a military context.

"He understands instinctively the business of command and where his teams fit in there.

"What I have seen is his ability to integrate very quickly into teams, whether it be at the command level or the very low tactical level.

"Being sent away with a small group to lead and conduct a particular task - that, to him, is second nature."

William, who is an officer in the Household Cavalry regiment, is halfway through a five-week stint on board HMS Iron Duke as part of a Royal Navy placement.

He undertook a similar attachment with the RAF earlier this year.

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