London  - Prince William will spend time serving with Britain's elite Special Forces during military training later this year, the royal household in London said Thursday.

The 26-year-old prince, a regimental officer in the British army, has just completed an attachment to the Royal Navy after a secondment to the Royal Air Force.

The Special Forces consist of a number of highly trained specialised crack units including the Special Air Service (SAS), the Special Boat Service (SBS) and the Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR).

"Prince William will spend time visiting the United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) in a non-operational environment, learning something of the discreet but important contribution the various components of Special Forces make to defence output," said a spokeswoman.

As the operations are usually top secret, she would not confirm which of the services the prince would join. (dpa)