28 MAY 2003
As rumours of military careers for the Prince of Wales' two sons began brewing, 18-year-old Prince Harry showed he has what it takes for the armed forces as he confidently led Eton Cadets during their annual trooping of the colour parade.

Prince Charles sat alongside Harry's former nanny Tiggy Pettifer in the stands, watching proudly as his teenage son, sword in hand, called his troops to attention. After leading four dozen cadets onto College Field for inspection, the young Prince – who earned the corps' top rank, Cadet Officer, earlier this month – joined his colleagues for military exercises to display what they've learned in the year's training.

Prince William, meanwhile, looks set to join the Army's Officer Training Corps at St Andrews, with his eye on a stint with the Welsh Guards. The Daily Telegraph reports that the Welsh Guards "have been told to make preparations", according to a source. The insider continues: "That doesn't mean it is written in stone… but I expect he will come and spend a couple of years with us."

On Monday, it was widely reported that Wills and Harry will be following their father's footsteps, enrolling as officer cadets at Sandhurst. "No decision has been made yet," said a St James's Palace spokesperson. "It is something that has been done in the past, so I suppose it is fair speculation."