News
Prince William enters Sandhurst
8th January 2006
Prince William arrived at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst today to begin his training as an army officer.
Prince William, 23, was among 270 other recruits beginning a gruelling 44-week-long training course at Sandhurst at the site in Camberley, Surrey.
Dressed in a grey suit and blue and red tie, Prince William arrived at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst with his father The Prince of Wales. The Princes were met by the Commandant of Sandhurst Major General Andrew Ritchie.
Prince William then met the Academy Adjutant Major George Waters and the Academy Sergeant Major Simon Nichols on the steps of Old College.
Like all other new officer cadets, William will be banned from leaving the site for the first five weeks.
He will be known as Officer Cadet Wales, like his brother Harry who is about to enter his third term at Sandhurst.
After enrolling, William emerged from the Old College building to say goodbye to his father wearing a red name badge reading ‘Wales'.
William saw The Prince to his car and waved farewell before re-entering the Academy to begin his training.
Commandant Major General Ritchie insisted that The Prince would not be given any special privileges.
“He will be up early tomorrow morning and will then get stuck into military training. The fitness regime and tactics will begin in earnest.”
Maj Gen Ritchie insisted William would find himself receiving the same training as all other recruits.
“I can assure you that he will be treated the same as every other cadet. Everyone is judged on merit,” he said.
He added: “There are no exceptions made.”
Maj Gen Ritchie insisted William and the other cadets would be put through their paces.
“They need to know what it's like to be tired and to be hungry to lead their soldiers in demanding situations around the world.”