British princes cause concern with fast and dangerous life

May 22, 2006, 15:25 GMT

London - Britain's Prince Harry embarked on a fresh stage in his army career Monday as newspapers reported growing safety concerns for his older brother, Prince William, on account of his passion for powerful motorbikes.

Harry, 21, who is third in line to the throne, joined Bovington camp in Dorset, south-west England, for armoured reconnaissance training and firing practice over a four-and-a-half-months period.

Cornet Wales, as he is now known, will eventually command 11 soldiers and four Scimitar tanks, and is likely to be sent to conflict zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the Evening Standard newspaper reported Monday that William, 23, is causing concern to the police and his immediate family over his use of a powerful Honda CBR Blackbird motorbike.

The superbike, which can do speeds up to 260 kilometres, has become the older prince's preferred mode of transport, the paper said.

William, who is currently on an officers' training course at Sandhurst Military Academy, has simply not had sufficient training to handle the machine, officers at Scotland Yard believe.

'There is considerable disquiet about it among the police who believe it is imperative, if the person they are charged with protecting is to continue using such a machine, that he attends a police advanced motorcycle course and attains the necessary competency levels,' a security source told the Standard.

Scotland Yard is so concerned about William's hobby that it has assigned a team of minders to shadow him whenever he roars off on the superbike.

The prince, however, who is also regularly being followed by a senior royal bodyguard, shrugged off the dangers.

'Riding a motorbike can be dangerous but so can lots of things really', he said in an interview.

He conceded that his father, Prince Charles, was worried about his passion for fast bikes, but said: 'He doesn't want to keep me all wrapped up in cotton wool.'

According to the Standard, Prince William added: 'So you might as well live if you're going to live. It's just something I'm passionate about.'