Prince William goes back to college

Britain's Prince William is to become a full-time student of agricultural management for 10 weeks as he forges a life after the military, AFP reports citing the royal family. William will learn about the issues facing rural communities and the farming industry in Britain during the course, which begins next week at the prestigious Cambridge University. The course will help the 31-year-old prince in his future role running the Duchy of Cornwall, a portfolio of land, property and investments he will inherit when his father, Prince Charles, becomes king. A royal spokesman said William was "very much looking forward to it". William, who is second in line to the throne, gave up his operational career with the Royal Air Force in September after completing a three-year stint as a search and rescue helicopter pilot. He will follow a course run by the Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership (CPSL), an institution within Cambridge University's School of Technology. His father is the School's patron. The Duke will have 18 to 20 hours of lectures, seminars and meetings a week. He is expected to live in Cambridge part of the time during his studies, but will still carry out royal engagements over the coming months. The royal spokesman said the "programme of seminars, lectures and meetings will draw on the strengths of academics across the university." The course will end in mid-March, before Williams heads to Australia and New Zealand with his wife Kate for a visit in April. The couple's son, Prince George, is expected to join them.