Royal troopers: Prince William and Prince Harry's Star Wars cameos confirmed

Prince William and Prince Harry are to make royal cameos as stormtroopers in the next Star Wars film, actor John Boyega has confirmed.

Rumours that the pair might be making a surprise appearance in Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi have been circulating since the two royals visited the set at Pinewood Studios in April.

They have now been confirmed at an actors roundtable panel with the Hollywood Reporter, during which cast member Boyega also revealed Tom Hardy and Gary Barlow would be joining them.

The four secret stormtroopers will be seen guarding Boyega's character Finn in an elevator.

"It was a great experience," Boyega said. "It makes you feel like you're a part of history in a sense."

In photos shared in April from the set of the new film, Harry is seen taking piloting advice from actor Mark Hamill inside an X-Wing fighter, while William is pictured having a chat with R2D2's successor BB8.

The royal siblings also took a photo fighting with Jedi lightsabers and hugging Chewbacca.

This isn't the first time famous faces have secretly starred as stormtroopers. In the last film, The Force Awakens, Daniel Craig was the stormtrooper guarding Daisy Ridley's character Reyin.

Kensington Palace declined to comment on the film.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in UK cinemas on 15 December.