Britain's Prince William on Caribbean naval patrol

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Prince William could be chasing Caribbean drug runners when he joins the Royal Navy for a two-month training course.

The second in line to the throne may also be called on to provide humanitarian relief if a hurricane hits during his deployment in the region on the frigate HMS Iron Duke.

Defense officials said on Saturday that William, preparing for his future role as head of the armed forces, would start his Royal Navy attachment next week.

William, 25, is following in a royal tradition -- his father, uncle and grandfather all served in the Royal Navy.

Rear Admiral Robert Cooling, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff, said the attachment would be rigorous.

"It will be a real thrill and privilege - not a pain in the ass - for the ship's company," he joked.

"If we treated him like some super VIP and tailored a program for him and walked around on egg shells, then that would be difficult," he told reporters.

"But he's not, he's going to come just like any other young officer and do all the things that young officers get involved in."

William's younger brother, Harry, was hastily pulled out of Afghanistan in February after just 10 weeks on the frontline when an Australian magazine broke a global media blackout on his deployment.

(Reporting by Paul Majendie, Editing by Robert Woodward)