Tuesday October 26, 10:34 PM
Cnd Joy As Wills Wears Symbol
DELIGHTED anti-nuclear campaigners sent Prince William posters and leaflets yesterday after he wore a waistcoat covered in CND symbols.
The 17-year-old prince stunned teachers at Eton school when he donned the eyecatching gear for lessons.
The design raised eyebrows because it seemed to clash with William's ambition to join the Army after he leaves school.
He is already a leading member of the school's cadet corps.
CND representative Lional Trippett said yesterday that the organisation was thrilled.
He said: "We have written to Prince William and sent him some of our literature in case he is interested."
But aides at St James's Palace, where Prince Charles's office is based, moved quickly to crush hopes that Wills was a closet peace campaigner.
They said the schoolboy prince simply borrowed the unusual waistcoast from a friend when he couldn't put his hands on his own.
A royal aide said yesterday: "He only wore it for a day."
Fifth and sixth form pupils at Eton are encouraged to wear waistcoats as part of the traditional school uniform.
The symbol was designed in 1958 for the first CND march.
However, it is now recognised as the symbol for peace, particularly in the United States where it was used during civil rights marches and anti-Vietnam demos.