Prince William Arrives For Duty In Falklands

Prince William has arrived in the Falklands for a tour duty as an RAF search and rescue pilot, as demonstrators take to the streets of the Argentinian capital in protest at his presence.

His arrival comes as tensions once again rise over the disputed islands, almost exactly 30 years since the outbreak of the Falklands War.

Demonstrators threw paint bombs and rocks at British banks in Buenos Aires to show their discontent at the Duke of Cambridge's presence.

Many held barriers protesting against British sovereignty on the islands, while others covered their faces with scarves and carried wooden batons.

The Royal Navy is preparing to send one of its most advanced new warships - the HMS Dauntless - to the area in the coming months.

She is expected to replace HMS Montrose in the region.

The Duke of Cambridge's arrival for a six-week posting had already sparked controversy in Argentina, where there have been claims that he will be wearing the uniform of a "conqueror" when he deploys.

The country's foreign ministry said it "rejected the British attempt to militarise (the) conflict".

He is due to attend a series of briefings and take part in a "familiarisation flight" before beginning his search and rescue work.

The Duchess will not be joining her husband abroad, but will have the couple's new cocker spaniel puppy for company while he is away.

The Ministry of Defence said William's six-week posting to the remote outcrop, which Buenos Aires calls Las Malvinas, was part of "a routine operational deployment".

A spokesman said: "MOD can confirm Flight Lieutenant Wales, as part of a four-man Search and Rescue (SAR) crew, has arrived in the Falkland Islands on a routine operational deployment and will shortly take up SAR duties post a period of briefings and a familiarisation flight."