Prince William to become army officer

Prince William has won a place at Britain's elite Sandhurst military academy to train to become an army officer, royal officials announced Friday.

William, 23, the elder son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, will follow his younger brother Prince Harry into the training college, according to a statement issued by Charles' Clarence House office.

William, who is second in line to the throne, learned early Friday that he had successfully passed Sandhurst's selection process, Clarence House said.

"I am absolutely delighted to have got over the first hurdle, but I am only too well aware, having spoken so much to Harry, that this is just the beginning," he was quoted as saying in the statement.

"I am really looking forward to taking my place alongside all the other cadets at Sandhurst."

William graduated from Scotland's St. Andrews University in June. Since then, he has begun to undertake solo royal duties, including a trip to New Zealand. Clarence House announced in June that the prince would do three work-experience placements,joining a mountain-rescue team, working at an international financial institution and learning about land management on a country estate, reports the AP. I.L.