LONDON, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Prince William, the second in line to the throne of Britain, started his 44-week training on Sunday at an elite military academy southwest of London, carrying on a history family tradition of military service.

    Accompanied by his father Prince Charles, the 23-year-old prince was among more than 270 new recruits joining the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in Surrey, where his younger brotherPrince Harry is half-way through officer training.

    William, a 2005 graduate from Saint Andrew's University in Scotland with a degree in Geography, dressed in a grey suit and blue and red tie, and was greeted by Commandant of Sandhurst Major General Andrew Ritchie, who told BBC News that William's decision to attend was a "great privilege for Sandhurst and the Army".

    But the general said William will receive no special privileges."I can assure you that he will be treated the same as every other cadet. Everyone is judged on merit," he said. "He will be up early tomorrow morning and will then get stuck into military training."

    Prince William is the most senior member of the Royal Family inrecent memory to attend the academy and opt for the Army rather than the Navy. His father, Prince Charles, was trained to be a pilot with the RAF. Charles also served in the Navy, as did the Duke of Edinburgh, William's grandfather Prince Philip. Harry is beginning his third and final term at Sandhurst. Enditem