 |
| Britain's
Prince William (R) and his father Prince Charles leave the gates of St Andrew's
University, Fife, Scotland to meet the crowds of well wishers, September 23, 2001.
The Prince will begin a four year degree course in History of Art at the university.
[Reuters] |
B
ritain's king in waiting,
Prince William, begins his career as a student on Monday, saying he hopes the
media will get bored with him during his four years at Scotland's ancient St Andrews
University.
In an interview in British Sunday newspapers, William disclosed
that he had not attended "freshers' week", when new students get to
know each other at raucous pre-term parties. "It would have been a media
frenzy and that's not fair on the other students," he said.
Since it
became known that the shy prince was to study art history in the Fife town, admissions
have risen by 44 percent, with a high proportion coming from young women.
The
student prince, who has luckily inherited his looks from his mother, Princess
Diana, rather than from his father, laughed off reports that some female students
were wondering whether they might be in with a chance of becoming a future queen.
"I
suppose they're saying that tongue-in-cheek. But people who try to take advantage
and get a piece of me, I spot it quickly and soon go off them. I just want to
go to university and have fun. I mean, it's not like I'm getting married, though
that's how it feels sometimes."
William added: "It will get easier
as time goes on. Everyone will get bored with me, which they do."
Courtiers
hope reporters and photographers will leave St Andrews on Monday, but royal watchers
believe it will be difficult for the media to maintain its current restraint.
A picture of William with a girlfriend would be especially prized.
(Agencies)
Updated: 2001-09-28 01:00
