PEOPLE'S PRINCE WILLS MAY GO TO DURHAM UNIVERSITY.

CLEVER Prince William has been offered a place at one of the country's top universities - a year before he has even sat his A-levels.

Whatever his exam results, the 16-year-old Prince could become a student at highly-regarded Durham next year. William has already shortlisted it as one of five universities he may attend.

Unconditional offers like the one made to William usually go to outstanding candidates. The young prince is so far the brightest of all the Royal Family after scoring 12 GCSE passes.

His father Prince Charles managed only six O-levels, but went on to get two A-levels and a place at Cambridge. William's mother Princess Diana left school with no formal qualifications.

William, who is studying English, History of Art and Geography, is expected to sail through the exams. If he opts for Durham it will seen as a break with tradition. One Royal insider said: "Most people expect him to follow his father and Uncle Edward and go to Cambridge.

"But the fact that he is even considering another university shows he's very much his own man. Whatever choice he makes he will consult his father.

"All caring parents are greatly involved in the further education of their children, and Prince Charles is no different. He'll want to discuss it with William and make sure the right choice is made."

William's uncle, Commander Tim Laurence, went to Durham on a naval scholarship from 1973 to 1976. Princess Anne's husband captained his college cricket team, played football and edited the student newspaper Palatinate.

Other famous Durham "old boys" include former England rugby captain Will Carling.

Cricketer Nasser Hussain and Cabinet ministers Mo Mowlam and Jack Cunningham also attended. The University's Vice Chancellor is actor and writer Peter Ustinov, while TV botanist David Bellamy is a former lecturer.

If William does go to Durham, it is likely he will attend University College because, housed in a Norman fort, it offers the best security. Royal Protection Squad officers have already started drawing up a report on the lay-out.

The college would be the perfect place for the future King, with its squeaky-clean reputation and strong historical links with Royalty and the Church.

Its glorious hilltop setting will also provide William with a secure, secluded place to focus on his work.

His possible lodgings in the 900-year-old Castle have been classed as a World Heritage Site and each room has a view across to the neighbouring cathedral.

Despite slipping five places to 18th in this year's university league table, Durham is still regarded as one of Britain's best. It is popular with the upper classes because of its history, magnificent setting and sporting excellence. Recent figures showed a third of its students had been privately educated.

Durham boasts an enviable academic record. Of its 11 departments, eight were graded "excellent" and all were given glowing "quality marks". Its graduates are highly sought after, with only six per cent of leavers unable to find a job.

William has indicated that he would like to become a military helicopter pilot and has already taken flying lessons.

10 THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT DURHAM

1 Durham got its name from Dun, the Anglo-Saxon word meaning hill, and Holm, the Viking word for Island.

2 The city dates back to 995 AD when monks sought refuge from Viking raiders.

3 Oliver Cromwell suggested a university in 1650, but it was not founded until 1832, making it Britain's third oldest.

4 It has England's newest first-class cricket team but no top football club.

5 Its maximum security jail is now the home of Cromwell Street killer Rose West.

6 Burger chain McDonald's opened up in April after waiting nearly a decade for a suitable building.

7 At functions, first-year students carry a shovel and brush - a throw- back to the days of gathering horse muck.

8 A secret society is said to exist whose members run naked around the college grounds at every full moon.

9 Beer at the University's Students' Union costs pounds 1.20 a pint.

10 If Wills had a romantic date, he'd love Robin's Cinema. The back row has double seats, so partners can cuddle up together.

Article Details

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Author:	Qualtrough, Stuart; Dampier, Phil
Publication:	Sunday Mirror (London, England)
Date:	May 23, 1999
Words:	695
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