As he embarks on his new life at university, Prince William has given a rare and extremely frank interview about his plans.

The 19-year-old started at St Andrews in Scotland last week - and immediately he was thrust unwittingly into the headlines as his uncle, Prince Edward, was accused of ‘stalking’ him.

The incident gives poignancy to William’s comment, just days earlier, that he wants to be “an ordinary student”. This week’s HELLO! magazine features the full transcript of the Prince’s interview with Sam Greenhill.

Are you excited about moving away from home and being able to take more control of your life?
“Having more independence is quite a big thing, although I’ve always got policemen around so I’m never completely independent. However, I’m particularly looking forward to being able to manage my own time in a relaxed atmosphere.”

St Andrews is very different from Eton. How easy will it be to make friends?
“It's not as if I choose my friends on the basis of where they are from or what they are. It's about their character and who they are and whether we get on. I just hope I can meet people I get on with. I don't care about their backgrounds."

For the full interview PLUS a glossy souvenir portrait of HRH Prince William for you to keep, see this week’s HELLO! magazine, on sale now.