Prince William tees off

As he demonstrated an impressive backswing, it raised an intriguing question - just where did Prince William's growing passion for golf come from?

Clearly not his father, so maybe it was something to do with Prince Andrew.

But as William said modestly as he clubbed the ball with a five iron a good 150 yards: 'As you can see, I haven't exactly learned from my uncle.'

He warned bystanders to watch out because it could go 'anywhere between here and there'. And as the ball flew down the driving range, he joked: 'Tiger Woods eat your heart out.'

This was 21-year-old William off duty, offering a rare glimpse of his daily life as a student at St Andrews University, on Scotland's windswept east coast.

He was also pictured going shopping, where he demonstrated a fondness for that staple student diet - chocolate bars and crisps.

It is the first time he has taken part in official photos involving the local community since starting at university more than two years ago. The photoshoot formed part of a deal drawn up by

Clarence House in which it provides information on him once a term in return for his privacy as he completes his education.

And golfing lessons at a practice centre near St Andrews' famous Old Course are part of the royal curriculum.

Clearly a schoolboy accident 12 years ago, when he needed surgery after being accidentally struck over the head with a club, has not put him off the sport.

With a wire basket of balls at his feet, he tried a range of clubs before ending the session by performing a running hit with a seven iron, standing four feet from the ball before moving in to strike it.

William also showed that even though his grandmother is one of the richest women in Britain and his father something of a spendthrift, he is just at home popping into his local shop. How often he makes these excursions is unknown. Shop assistant Jennifer Murray said he went in from time to time but she had never served him before.

His purchases were deliberately non-controversial - copies of The Economist and The Field, semiskimmed milk, a packet of crisps and some chocolates. He also picked up a notebook and after browsing through music and motorcycle magazines - he owns a Yamaha 600cc trials bike - he chose a puzzle book.

At the cash desk he also bought six Christmas edition first class stamps, paying the £11.22 bill with cash from his own pocket.

And that, surely, must have been a royal first.