A soldier has moved up the ranks with a royal seal of approval.

Liam Van Den Heever was promoted to Lance Corporal by the Countess of Wessex. The South African-born Wimbledon resident, who joined the army in 2008 and has served in Afghanistan, had to complete a six-week training course including field exercises in freezing condition before winning his first stripe.

The 24-year-old serves with 2nd Battalion The Rifles, and was promoted last Thursday in a ceremony at the unit’s base in Germany.

The Countess of Wessex, who is the regiment’s royal colonel, also attended a lunch with L Cpl Van Den Heever and about 30 other newly promoted soldiers.

Afterwards he said: “I feel good, very pleased and proud to be promoted; it’s a big achievement.”