Wills the Apprentice

PRINCE William is to be given an astonishing apprenticeship in how to be king, the News of the World can reveal.

The Queen and Prince Charles have drawn up a secret two-year intensive training programme which he will start when he quits military life in the New Year.

MENTOR: John Major

A senior royal aide confirmed last night: "You could say he'll be the first person to ever get an apprenticeship in Kingship."

Click to see photos of Prince William

But unlike the contestants in Sir Alan Sugar's TV show, there's now chance of him being told: You're fired, Sire!

The prince's training tasks will include:

WORKING at different Whitehall departments and being shown the inner workings of government by privy councillors including former Prime Minister John Major.

LESSONS in the job of king by constitutional experts such as Oxford don Dr Vernon Bogdanor.

HELPING manage the Duchy of Cornwall, the landed trust he will inherit from Charles when his dad becomes king.

null

RUNNING the Sandringham Estate-a job his granddad Prince Philip has been doing for years.

SOLO TOURS of the Commonwealth, taking some of that burden from the Queen.

The aide added: "For the first time we have an established monarch, an active and experienced heir to the throne and in Prince William and Prince Harry real youth appeal.

Grips

"The Prince Of Wales has had a long time to prepare for what will probably be a relatively short reign. Prince William has effectively got to get to grips with the job very quickly.

"It is a very different world to when the Queen ascended the throne and she wants him to be prepared for what is to come. William too wants to make sure he is ready for any challenge is thrown at him."

Wills' apprenticeship means any plans to marry girlfriend Kate Middleton will be put on hold until at least 2010.

A Buckingham Palace source said Kate is still part of the 26-year-old prince's future, adding: "How can he show Kate what to do if she becomes a princess if he doesn't know what he is doing himself?"

Wills is expected to enjoy a three-week break with Kate, also 26, when he finishes his stint with the Royal Navy next week. Then he will build on what is already an impressive CV.

Disguise

He has made a whistle-stop tour of all the armed forces, serving with the RAF and as an officer with the Blues And Royals Guards army regiment before the navy.

He also is the first future king to have worked in the City.

As second in line to the throne, William already attends big royal occasions such as Trooping The Colour and Remembrance Day.

Now he will be sent to represent the Queen abroad at funerals and memorial services.

He'll also be expected to step up his attendances as traditional royal events such as Ascot and royal garden parties.

A senior courtier added: "A key skill for him to learn, the Queen believes, is to disguise his feelings, like politicians.

"His father has never really managed to achieve this."

null