William graduated from Sandhurst in front of the Queen in December

William, who is second in line to the throne, will report for duty later for his first official day with the Household Cavalry.

The 24-year-old, who is joining the Blues and Royals regiment, will be based at Combermere Barracks, Windsor.

After his first year in the Army, the prince will turn his attention to constitutional affairs.

This process will be in anticipation of when he eventually accedes the throne.

By joining the Army, William is following in the footsteps of younger brother Harry.

And in preparation for his future position as head of the armed forces, William will also spend time with the RAF and Navy.

Future troop leader

He is set to spend a number of weeks settling in and getting to know his regiment, as part of a process known as familiarisation, before he begins a five-month training stint at Bovington Camp, Dorset, in March.

Like his brother, William will learn how to be a troop leader with an armoured reconnaissance unit.

In this role, William will take charge of around a dozen soldiers equipped with four Scimitar armoured reconnaissance vehicles which are used to scout out the enemy.

Last month the prince graduated from Sandhurst in front of the Queen and his girlfriend, Kate Middleton, and is now known in the Army as Cornet Wales