Prince William unlikely to serve on the front line

May 2, 2006, 17:24 GMT

Britain's Prince William is unlikely to serve on the front line, it's been revealed.

The young royal is expected to join the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards when he completes his training at Sandhurst Military Academy this year.

The unit will reportedly be deployed to a six-month tour of Bosnia this year - before the handsome prince can join them.

The battalion won't be sent to a war zone again for at least 3 years but, by then, William may have left the Army.

Last month William's younger brother, Prince Harry, allegedly threatened to leave the Army if he isn't sent to the front line.

The prince was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Household Cavalry after graduating from Sandhurst - but said he would quit if his royal status stops him joining his unit in war zones.

Troops from Harry's regiment are due to head to Iraq and Afghanistan in the next few months.

Britain's Mail on Sunday newspaper said the 21-year-old told Sandhurst instructors: 'If I am not allowed to join my unit in a war zone, I will hand in my uniform.'

A Clarence House spokeswoman said: 'Harry is very clear that he is joining the Army, and the Household Cavalry in particular, to serve his country as an operational soldier.'

But she added there may be times when Harry would not be able to serve with his unit.

She said: 'On occasion there may be some circumstances in which his presence could attract additional attention, which could lead to additional risk to those he commands or himself.

'In these instances it is a judgment call which would principally be made by his commanding officer.'

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