William to learn Harry's skills

Prince William is to begin an armoured reconnaissance training course, where he will learn to be a troop leader like his brother Prince Harry.

William graduated from Sandhurst in December and he will begin a four-and-a-half month programme at Bovington Camp in Dorset, where he will take charge of around a dozen soldiers equipped with four Scimitar armoured reconnaissance vehicles which are used to scout out the enemy.

He will also spend six weeks at Lulworth for gunnery training on live firing ranges and the course will end at Warminster.

Training includes field activities such as tactics and learning to command soldiers in various simulated operational settings, and administering and training the troop in barracks.

The Ministry of Defence says recce soldiers need "patience, nerve and cunning".

Harry is due to serve in Iraq soon, but it is unlikely William will follow him onto the battlefield. He is planning familiarisation attachments with the Navy and RAF to prepare him for his future role as King and head of the Armed Forces.

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