Prince William banned from war zone

Prince William has been banned from going to sea in the Gulf with the Royal Navy because his presence could attract terrorist attacks on British ships in the region.

Al Qaeda have not managed any terrorist attacks recently but military chiefs will not have wanted to provoke an attack similar to the one on the USS Cole off Yemen in 2000.

And the military will be aware that media outlets anywhere could leak information about William's activities if he were to serve in the Gulf.

Instead Prince William aka Sub-lieutenant Wales will serve on a vessel monitoring narcotics shipments in the Caribbean. Tons of cocaine have been seized from smugglers in recent months.

Prince William will start his training tomorrow and will then spend five weeks in a Type 23 frigate, the Iron Duke, sharing a four-berth cabin. The hurricane season is about to start in the Caribbean.

During his time in the Royal Navy, Prince William will also serve in a nuclear submarine.