Prince William to undertake attachment with the Royal Navy

London, 31 May/GNN/ -- MINISTRY OF DEFENCE News Release (PN_101/2008) issued by The Government News Network on 31 May 2008

PLEASE NOTE EMBARGO
Not for publication or broadcast before
2200 hours Saturday 31 May 2008

Prince William will spend 2 months with the Royal Navy from 2 June to 1
August 2008. 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
firefighting 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. He 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: "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."

Notes to editors:

* Stills and broadcast quality footage is now available via the 'latest
packages' section of the Defence News Imagery website.

* This includes generic background footage plus a short interview
with the Commanding Officer of HMS Iron Duke and is available via
www.defencenewsimagery.mod.uk.

* Technical help is available via the MOD Press Office Bureau 020 7218 6997
or via the Fleet Media Duty Officer on 07748 932 702
Further information on the Royal Navy can found at www.royalnavy.mod.uk.

* For specific queries regarding Prince William's time with the Royal Navy,
please contact the MOD Press Office on 0207 218 7907

* If you have a query regarding attendance at the media facility at Britannia
Royal Naval College next week and have not received the opnote, pse contact
Clarence House press office via 02070245506 or out of hours via the Buckingham
Palace Duty Officer on 02070245832. Pse note that the fact that there is a
media facility at BRNC is NOT for publication or broadcast.

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk

Source: Ministry of Defence

2008-05-31 12:57:00 0374126 PRNEWSWIRE