The Royal Household announced Andrew would join the Royal Navy

In November 1978, Buckingham Palace announced that Prince Andrew, Duke of York, intended to join the Royal Navy the following year, continuing a longstanding tradition of military service within the Royal Family. The announcement marked the beginning of a structured selection and training process leading to his formal entry into naval service in 1979. Following the announcement, Prince Andrew underwent a series of evaluations to qualify for pilot training. In December 1978, he completed initial sporting assessments and examinations at RAF Biggin Hill. These were followed in early 1979 by further testing at HMS Daedalus and an assessment by the Admiralty Interview Board at HMS Sultan, which evaluates candidates for officer entry into the Royal Navy. Between March and April 1979, he attended the Royal Naval College for initial pilot grading, a process used to determine suitability for aviation roles. On 11/05/1979, he was formally accepted as a trainee helicopter pilot and signed a 12-year short service commission, officially beginning his naval career. Later that year, on 01/09/1979, Prince Andrew was appointed as a Midshipman and entered Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) in Dartmouth for officer training. During the early phase of his service, between 1979 and 1980, he also completed the Royal Marines All Arms Commando Course, earning the Green Beret, a qualification indicating completion of commando-level training. The period from late 1978 to 1979 established the foundation for Prince Andrew’s military career, transitioning him from education into structured training within the Royal Navy. #PrinceAndrew #RoyalNavy #MilitaryTraining #BRNC #UKMonarchy