Prince William was involved in a hurricane drill in the Caribbean as part of his work with the Royal Navy.
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The future king – who is known as Sub-Lieutenant Wales and is currently spending five weeks on the Royal Navy frigate HMS Iron Duke – flew ashore by helicopter as the Navy tested whether it is adequately prepared should a giant category five storm hit the volcanic island of Montserrat.
If a storm like that occurred, it could leave hundreds of people dead or seriously injured and flatten around 95 per cent of the buildings on the island.
Rescuers taking part in the exercise were also told they might have to contend with the “nightmare scenario” of the lava dome inside the island’s volcano collapsing.
The training exercise saw personnel from the prince’s warship land on the island and assist local emergency services directing drills.
William – who won his first medal in recognition of the role he played in a recent £40million Caribbean drugs bust with the Royal Navy – was involved in planning the Navy’s response and was part of the forward command team, the first wave of Royal Navy personnel on to the island.
Iron Duke’s captain, Commander Mark Newland, said the exercise was a great opportunity to show the “broad range of skills a Royal Navy warship can bring to a disaster-ravaged island”.
He added: “Sub-Lieutenant Wales, as part of his remit on board, has been involved in the planning from the outset, and that’s primarily in developing a plan and understanding of the nature of the infrastructure on Montserrat.”
