Crowthorne and Sandhurst

Princes William and Harry were caught up in a bomb scare which closed down the Sandhurst military academy.

A huge security alert started when a sandwich box full of modelling clay and a timer was discovered outside the adjutant’s quarters.

All gates were closed into the academy — where Wills and Harry are training as Army officers — and cadets were ordered to remain in their rooms on Saturday.

Royal protection officers were scrambled as the bomb was found just 100 yards from where both Prince William and Harry live.

But after 90 minutes it was found to be a fake specially made for an exercise for cadets.

It fell off the back of a vehicle driven by a colour sergeant as he passed the adjutant’s house. William, 23, who started at Sandhurst a week ago, and Harry, 21, were on the Berkshire campus at the time. A royal source said: “There was a massive security flap and it was a big relief when it was over.

“But most cadets, including the two princes, thought it was a great hoot.”

The fake bomb was made for an exercise which Harry will take part in.

An Army insider said: “There were a lot of red faces at Sandhurst.

“Security has been greatly improved since The Sun smuggled a fake bomb into the Academy last year.

“The bomb looked so like the real thing — we didn’t know if it was terrorists’ work or The Sun testing our security.”

Major General Andrew Ritchie, Commandant of Sandhurst, said: “I am delighted at the way in which people reacted to what turned out to be a false alarm.”

The Sun