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Prince William begins his training with the Royal Navy in Dartmouth

2nd June 2008

Prince William followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather yesterday when he passed through the gates of Britannia Royal Naval College, marking the beginning of a short attachment that will give him an insight into the world of the Royal Navy.

Today Sub-Lieutenant Wales, as Prince William is known in the service, was with other junior officers at Sandquay, the epicentre of on-the-water training at Dartmouth, undertaking shiphandling drills in the college's twin-screwed training craft.

Commander Paul Halton, the Director of Training where Prince William is under instruction, praised his efforts on the water.

He said: "The vessel he was driving today mimics in many respects how a frigate or a destroyer will handle, so that's been a really important skill for him to learn.

"The important point to make is that for some of the manoeuvres he did today it would ordinarily take a young officer a number of weeks or months of training (to master) and he's got the hang of it in just a day - so pretty good."

The Prince began his morning taking the wheel of a training vessel known as a picket boat and was joined by an instructor and four trainee naval officers.

He stood in the wheelhouse and carried out a series of engine checks before completing a "springing off" manoeuvre to smoothly pull away from the jetty and take the boat through its paces under the watchful eye of the instructor.

Prince William powered the craft into the middle of the river and brought it to a dead stop in front of a buoy before he drove it to a floating pontoon to practise mooring and springing off.

The crew also went through a "man overboard" drill where a piece of wood was thrown into the water and two naval recruits guided the boat beside the "sailor" to pick him up.

Later the Prince and his colleagues were given a detailed technical briefing on lowering an anchor on the harbour training ship Hindostan - a former minesweeper permanently moored nearby.

Commander Halton said: "I'm delighted that our future king has asked to spend some time with the Royal Navy and broaden his appreciation of the armed forces.

"Like any other officer, he will rise early and after breakfast in the officer's mess, the day will begin with training, some classroom-based, but an awful lot will be practical."

Click here to read more about Prince William's attachment with the Royal Navy.