Prince William begins stepping into ceremonial role

Prince William has received his first honorary Army appointment - becoming Colonel of the Irish Guards.

The Queen has given her formal approval for the honour which will see the prince take a close interest in the lives and activities of the regiment's personnel.

William, 28, succeeds Major General Sir Sebastian Roberts who previously held the post.

The second-in-line to the throne already holds honorary ranks in the RAF and Royal Navy.

In 2006 he was made Commodore-in-Chief of Scotland and Commodore-in-Chief of Submarines, and two years later was appointed Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Coningsby near Lincoln.

William is the Irish Guards' first royal colonel and its Colonel-in-Chief is the Queen.

The regiment was formed on April 1, 1900 by order of Queen Victoria in response to the courageous actions of Irish regiments in the Second Boer War.

The unit is heavily involved in ceremonial duties but its servicemen are also fighting soldiers who are currently in Afghanistan.

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