Prince William has said that he would like to follow the example of Prince Harry and fight on the front line, Telegraph reported
As the future King, the Ministry of Defence would veto the Prince being exposed to the same dangers faced by his younger brother in Afghanistan.
But Prince William, 26, said yesterday that he was still hoping to persuade the MoD to lift its ban on him going to war zone like Prince Harry, who is training to be a helicopter pilot, and the Duke of York who served in the Falklands War in 1982.
The Prince, 26, who is training to become an RAF search and rescue pilot, said: "In my mind, of course, you talk to everyone else and it's impossible I still remain hopeful there's a chance. 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."
Even as an airborne soldier, while still extremely dangerous, Prince William would be regarded as a security target which would also put the lives of those around him more at risk. He would also be a kidnap target.
The hazardous job with the Search and Rescue Force will involve the future king flying Sea King helicopters to lower a winchman to rescue those stranded at sea, trapped in floods, and on the edge of cliff tops.
The two Princes are carrying out their flight training at the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire. They are living together for the first time in years. The two Princes emerged from an aircraft hangar to pose in front of two helicopters left idle on the tarmac to pose for photographers during a break in the training.
Prince William said: "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."
Prince Harry, 24, who is learning to fly Lynx helicopters and Apache attack helicopters, said he was keen to return to Afghanistan. "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," he said.
"I love flying helicopters. I just hope I can be better than the best, that's what I've always striven 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 Duke of York, who is Prince Harry's godfather, was a significant influence in his decision to volunteer for training as a helicopter pilot in the Army. Prince Harry's secret assignment to Helmand Province in Afghanistan was cut short last year after details of his posting were leaked by an overseas internet site. Afghanistan is a regular tour of duty for the Army Air Corps which Prince Harry is attached to.
Major Zog Zvegintzov, the commanding officer of the flying school in Shawbury, would not be drawn on which helicopter Prince Harry would fly if and when he successfully completes his training. "There are a lot of hurdles to jump en route to qualifying as an army pilot," he said.