Prince William to join HSBC on work experience

Prince William. Picture / Herald on Sunday

Prince William, second in line to the British throne, is to join Britain's biggest bank HSBC for work experience next month, a spokeswoman for the prince said today.

"In early November, Prince William will be starting some work experience in the City. He is going to be there for about three weeks, and the majority of his time will be in HSBC in the charity section," the spokeswoman said.

She said his decision to work in HSBC was "his own personal choice".

The spokeswoman said she did not know if William would be paid for his labours.

William, 23, who is planning to train at Sandhurst next year, has recently been undertaking land management work experience.

He had been rumoured to be joining a leading bank, and HSBC, the world's second biggest bank by market value and headquartered in London's Canary Wharf area, had been the frontrunner.

David Buik at financial bookmaker Cantor Index said odds on his joining HSBC had narrowed from 5/2 to 7/4 on Friday, before betting was closed.

"Over a month they will be able to give him a terrific insight into what's going on ... he won't be licking the stamps; that's for sure," Buik said.

"He'll get the broadest possible education in terms of retail banking, international banking and the world's economy."

- REUTERS