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John Howard has ruled out Prince William as a future governor-general of Australia, saying only a long term and permanent citizen would be acceptable.
Prince William harbours a desire to become Australia's governor-general, according to a new biography.
John Howard said today the possibility of Price William's ambition coming true was unlikely.
"We have for a long time embraced the idea that the person who occupies that post should be in every way an Australian citizen," Mr Howard told Southern Cross Broadcasting.
The future heir to the British throne, who celebrated his 25th birthday last week, is in search of a career, The Australian newspaper reports.
Prince Charles has spoken in the past about his hurt and anger at being rejected by the Hawke government as a candidate for governor-general in the 1980s.
Prince William, who turned 25 last week, is searching for a role after finishing his obligatory role stint in the British armed forces.
Former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown reveals in the new book - The Diana Chronicles - that William would still like to claim the job for himself.
"Charles really wanted the job because he saw it as a way to get the hell out of the grip of Prince Philip and the Queen," Brown writes.
She told The Australian Women's Weekly: "You might like to know ... it has been thought up in regard to William, too. Yes, they would very much like that and he would like that very much."
- AAP
