Who dares Wills: Prince William to train with the SAS

Now Prince William is to complete his military education with the toughest of the tough guys - the Special Forces.

The future King will visit members of the elite units this autumn - including the SAS (Special Air Services), SBS (Special Boat Services) and the SRR (Special Reconnaissance Regiment).

Soldier... pilot... sailor: Prince William has trained with the Army, RAF and Navy and will now spend time with Special Forces as his placements come to an end

He will be taught about unconventional warfare, counter-terrorism and other top-secret techniques.

The training forms part of the prince's final five months of military service before he leaves the Army to become a full-time working member of the Royal Family.

Clarence House stressed that William, 26, would be involved only in 'non-operational' activities with the forces and take part in individual training sessions rather than a protracted attachment.

William, who passed out from Sandhurst in December 2006, has already served attachments with the RAF and Royal Navy.

Next stop the SAS: William during his recent Navy training in the Caribbean

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: 'William won't be joining the Special Forces in any hands-on role but we feel it is important that he learns more about them.

'They are a small but massively important part of the country's defences and are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan to great effect.

'This is going to be an incredibly exciting experience for William. It's real Boys' Own stuff.'

The prince's autumn schedule will also include time with the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup.

In addition he will work at the Ministry of Defence and the Permanent Joint Headquarters in London and will be able to broaden his flying experience during an attachment to the Army Air Corps.

William earned his wings at RAF Cranwell this year, after which he was lambasted for using a helicopter training exercise to fly himself and his brother Harry to their cousin's stag party on the Isle of Wight as well as a friend's wedding in the North.

The prince finishes his secondment with the Royal Navy tomorrow.

He has spent the last five weeks on patrol with the frigate HMS Iron Duke in the Caribbean, from where he will disembark and fly to join his girlfriend Kate Middleton for a week on the island of Mustique.