Prince William has taken a new role helping Britain's elite special forces and championing the SAS, it has been revealed. It has been reported that the 43-year-old agreed in private to take on the role which will see the royal support the worlds' most feared special forces, whose motto is "Who Dares Wins".

The SAS has taken care of the welfare of serving and ex-members of the shadowy and elite military group, which is based in Hereford, since the end of WWII.

According to a military source, William only recently accepted the role. They said: This is a very proud appointment and he will be a fantastic ambassador for the organisation, which has for many years supported this secretive group of people."

The source told the Mirror: "Prince William has visited the SAS recently and was delighted to accept becoming Patron of the Association.

"...The Prince has privately expressed great pride in representing them and wants to ensure that the achievements of these soldiers lives on and that their families are well taken care of.

"He has even wished them and their families well for the Christmas festivities."

It is believed the King's eldest son is the first-ever royal directly to become patron of the SAS Association, although his aunt Princess Anne is patron of the London-based Special Forces Club.

The SAS Association was set up in 1945 following the post-war disbanding of the original unit and provides hundreds of thousands of pounds to members and their families in need of help.

William attended the funeral of Major Mike Sadler last year.

He was the last of the 'SAS Originals' who died aged 103 and served under SAS founder David Stirling.