Prince William appointed Colonel of Irish Guards

London, Feb 11 (ANI): The Queen has appointed her grandson Prince William as the Colonel of the Irish Guards.

It is the Prince's first honorary appointment in the British Army, and he will be the Irish Guards' first royal colonel, reports the Telegraph.

The Queen has given her formal approval for the honour, which will see the prince take a close interest in the lives and activities of the regiment's personnel.

The 28-year-old Prince succeeds Major General Sir Sebastian Roberts who previously held the post.

The second in line to the throne already holds honorary ranks in the RAF and Royal Navy.

The regiment was formed in 1900 by order of Queen Victoria in response to the courageous actions of Irish regiments in the Second Boer War.

The unit is heavily involved in ceremonial duties but its servicemen are also fighting soldiers who are currently in Afghanistan. (ANI)