PRINCE William was in Portland Harbour yesterday - being winched from the water as part of his Royal Navy training.

The future King has begun a two-month stint with the service under plans for him to spend time with all branches of the British Armed Forces.

Sub-Lieutenant Wales, as he is known to his colleagues, was lifted from a vessel into a naval helicopter flying overhead.

Family-run firm White Motor Boats supplied the 40-foot passenger vessel Enchantress for the military exercise.

Owner Paul Compton said: "Prince William joined the Royal Navy on Monday and part of his training is to be winched up from the sea.

"We work closely with the Royal Navy and we supply the Enchantress for their recruits to use on exercises once a week.

"We knew Prince William would be arriving some time this month but we weren't told exactly when for security reasons.

"Also, this is his first week and he is just a sailor doing his basic training so we didn't want there to be lots of fuss."

Mr Compton, whose Weymouth firm operates ferry services and pleasure boat cruises, said the exercise went well.

"Obviously this was a Royal Navy recruit with a bit of a difference but it went perfectly," he said.

"He was part of a group of around eight trainees and the helicopter flew over and picked him up, no problem."

Prince William, who has earned his wings in the RAF and is a junior officer in the Army, joined the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth this week to begin his two-month detachment.

Prince William's exercise in Portland Harbour was part of a three-week initial stint of learning basic boat handling, navigation and sea safety skills.

He will then make a five-week trip aboard the frigate HMS Iron Duke, taking part in counter- narcotic patrols and hurricane relief duty in the Caribbean.

When he goes to sea, Sub-Lieutenant Wales will sleep in a two-berth cabin and his days will start with 6.30am wake-up calls.

Dorset residents are used to spotting Prince William in the county after both he and his brother Prince Harry were based at Bovington during their army training.

In June last year he spent over an hour in Asda in Weymouth, buying alcohol and snacks worth around £850.