Prince William begins Royal Navy attachment

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Prince William will spend two months with the Royal Navy from 2 June to 1 August 2008.


Throughout his time with the Royal Navy, Prince William will hold the rank of Sub-Lieutenant and will be referred to as Sub-Lieutenant Wales
[Picture: John Stillwell/PA Wire]

Having spent a very successful year in the Army, it was Prince William's ambition to spend time with each of the other armed services as part of wider preparation for his future role and responsibilities, not least as Head of the Armed Forces.

His time with the Royal Navy is designed to give him a broad understanding of what drives and differentiates the service from his previous military experience, enable him to meet and get to know a cross section of Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel and at giving him an insight into the ethos, capabilities and structure of the Naval Service.

Throughout his time with the Royal Navy, Prince William will hold the rank of Sub-Lieutenant and will be referred to as Sub Lieutenant Wales.

He will first conduct a short and intensive period of training ashore. This will include a mandatory sea safety course, where he will practise demanding fire fighting and sea survival drills in a very realistic environment; all aimed at allowing him to participate fully in the life of a frigate at sea.



HMS Iron Duke
[Picture: Royal Navy]

The Prince will spend time at a variety of naval establishments including time carrying out practical seamanship evolutions such as anchoring and handling twin screwed motor boats which will prepare him for his time on a frigate.

He will also learn about the history, organisation and role of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary and will spend time with units from all the fighting arms of the Royal Navy:

- the surface fleet where he will be embarked in a frigate and minehunter as they practise their roles whilst coming under simulated attack from land, sea and air

- the Submarine Service where he will spend time dived in a submarine as it attempts to conduct simulated attacks and evade RN Ships and helicopters

- the Fleet Air Arm where he will have a chance to acquaint himself with a variety of RN helicopters during training sorties to understand the specific challenges of naval aviation

- the Royal Marines where he will learn about their unique skills as the UK's specialist Amphibious and Commando force.

With this introduction behind him, he will then join HMS Iron Duke, a Portsmouth-based Type 23 frigate on the North Atlantic Patrol.

At this time of year, the patrol is based mainly in the Caribbean and her tasking is two-fold; firstly standing by to render assistance to UK Overseas Territories and other countries in the hurricane season (which has now started) and secondly taking part in counter-narcotic patrols – a role which has seen the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships seize around 20 tonnes of cocaine in the past 18 months.

Prince William will be involved in all that the ship does, living and working as part of the ship's company of 180 plus. He will work as part of the bridge team, driving the ship and assisting with its safe navigation and will spend time in each department, namely marine and weapon engineering, logistics, operations, seamanship and the ship's helicopter flight.

When alongside, he will take his turn to carry out duties in support of the Officer of the Day who is responsible for the safety and security of the ship when in harbour.

Commander Mark Newland, Commanding Officer of HMS Iron Duke said about Prince William's time on board:



The Prince in his Royal Navy uniform
[Picture: John Stillwell/PA Wire]

"He will contribute to all aspects of our operations including counter drugs and disaster relief planning. We will also be educating him in the ways of the Royal Navy, at the strategic level as well; why we are in a theatre of operations like this and what we can do to help."

Prince William himself is naturally and commendably keen to be as close to the front line as possible. It is on this basis, balanced against the relatively low level of training and experience he will have had and operational security considerations, that the decision was taken to send him to HMS Iron Duke, with a strong programme of operational tasking, in an environment that will enable him to gain maximum benefit from his time onboard.

Rear Admiral Bob Cooling, the Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff said:

"The Royal Navy in general and HMS Iron Duke in particular are very much looking forward to having the opportunity to show our future king what we do. Our aim is to ensure that he gains a valuable insight into the naval service and enjoys himself along the way."

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