William: I'm hopeful of front-line Afghan posting like Harry

Published on Friday 19 June 2009 01:12

PRINCE William and Prince Harry yesterday told of their desire to serve their country in the armed forces. Prince William hinted he would like to follow in his brother's footsteps and fight on the front line.

The brothers made their comments at a photocall to update the world's media on the progress of their training to become military flyers.

William, 26, is well on the way to becoming an RAF search and rescue pilot, while Harry, 24, is six months into a course to become an army helicopter pilot.

Harry served for ten weeks in Afghanistan last year and his elder brother hinted he wished to emulate his achievement.

Asked if he thought an operational role was an impossibility, he replied: "You talk to everyone else and it's impossible. I still remain hopeful there's a chance."

William said he did not want to be mollycoddled in the armed forces.

He added: "I think as a future leader of the armed forces, it's really important you at least get the opportunity to do the job I signed up for, as best I can. That's all I want to do.

"The search-and-rescue role is slightly different to being able to go to Afghanistan, but it's still doing an important job."

Harry spoke of his ambition to return to the front line and said he would probably specialise in flying Lynx helicopters, not the better-known Apaches.

"I'm really enjoying it and as everyone knows it's my easiest way of getting back to the front line. Maybe safer, maybe not, I don't know."

Both brothers are training at the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire and are living together.

Harry added: "I love flying helicopters. I just hope I can be better than the best, that's what I've always strived to be – spot on.

"To get out to Afghanistan again would be fantastic, and my best chance is to do it from a helicopter."

The younger royal said that he would probably end up flying Lynx helicopters if he completed his studies: "I'm a bit of a Lynx lover since I started this course."

Harry, a lieutenant in the Household Cavalry, said the "simple fact" that his helicopter instructors had all been Lynx pilots had influenced his decision to think about flying it.

The prince, who admitted his brother had more brains than him, said: "I think the Lynx is more challenging, it's more my cup of tea than the Apache, that's how I feel but that might change halfway though. I'll fly whatever I'm told to fly and I'll fly wherever I'm told to fly."

Harry first has to complete his training, for which he will spend the summer at RAF Shawbury learning to master the Squirrel and then Griffin helicopters before he is transferred to the School of Army Aviation in Middle Wallop, Hampshire.

If he completes his training, he will be awarded his wings in March, before being assigned to the Lynx, Gazelle or Apache helicopters for final instructions.

ROYAL BROTHERS IN ARMS

THE princes yesterday lifted the lid on their living arrangements – revealing that William does most of the cooking.

During the informal press conference the princes, dressed in their green flying suits, made jokes based on the rivalry of their different services – the RAF and army.

William, known as Flight Lieutenant Wales, joked about their and taking care of his younger brother.

"Bearing in mind I cook (for] him and feed him basically every day, he's done rather well. He does do a bit of washing-up but then he leaves most of it in the sink and I have to wash it up."

The second in line to the throne celebrates his 27th birthday on Sunday, but he joked that his brother "hasn't got me a present".

"I wouldn't expect one anyway – I'd be lucky to get a card."

Prince William said of Harry: "He's doing a fantastic job, he puts himself down but talk to his instructor – he's doing a fantastic job. He's just very modest about it, he's doing very well."

Harry, left, said: "We're both here just doing our bit, trying to become helicopter pilots. We're having a fantastic time. Yes, it's hard work but everything is hard work."

The royal brothers said they had been to their nearest town, Shrewsbury, a few times but Harry stressed he did not have much time to leave the air force base.