Prince William wants frontline duty

The royal brothers made their comments as they held a photocall for the world's media to update them on the progress of their training to become military flyers.

William, 26, is well on the way to becoming an RAF search and rescue pilot while Harry, 24, is six months into a course to become an Army helicopter pilot.

Harry served for 10 weeks in Afghanistan last year and his elder brother hinted that he wished to emulate his achievement.

When asked if he thought an operational role was an impossibility, he replied: "In my mind, of course, you talk to everyone else and it's impossible. I still remain hopeful there's a chance."

William discussed his thoughts about serving in the Armed Forces, saying that he did not want to be mollycoddled.

He added: "I think as a future leader of the Armed Forces, it's really important you at least get the opportunity to be credible and to do the job I signed up for, as best I can. That's all I want to do.

"The search and rescue role is now slightly different to obviously being able to go to Afghanistan, but it's still doing an important job."

Harry spoke of his ambition to return to the front line and said he would probably specialise in flying Lynx helicopters and not the more well-known Apache attack helicopters.

"I'm really enjoying it and as everyone knows it's my easiest way of getting back to the front line. Maybe safer, maybe not, I don't know."

Both royal brothers are carrying out their flight training at the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire and are living together during their military studies.

Harry added: "I love flying helicopters. I just hope I can be better than the best, that's what I've always strived to be - spot on.

"To get out to Afghanistan again would be fantastic and my best chance is to do it from a helicopter."

The younger royal said that he would probably end up flying Lynx helicopters if he completed his studies: "I'm a bit of a Lynx lover since I started this course."

He added jokingly: "I shouldn't really have said that, I should be selling the Apache. I love the Apache as everyone does."

He added: "I don't know if I've got it for the Apache, but you never know that until half way through the course when they actually judge you on it. If I (get) a personal preference I would go for the Lynx."