Princes William and Harry were among those who paid tribute to Trooper Ratu Babakobau who was killed in Afghanistan on his first-ever overseas mission.

The 29-year-old was a member of the Household Cavalry Regiment – in which Prince Harry also serves.

Trooper Babakobau was killed on Friday May 2, 2008, when his vehicle hit a mine while on routine patrol in Helmand Province's Nowzad area. Three other soldiers were injured along with an Afghan translator.

A Clarence House spokesman said: "Together with the rest of the regiment both Prince William and Prince Harry are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Trooper Babakobau and their thoughts are with his family and the families of those injured at this difficult time."

A married father of two young boys, Trooper Babakobau joined the army in 2004 and served in both the Mounted Regiment and the Household Cavalry.

Lieutenant Colonel Harry Fullerton, commanding officer of the Household Cavalry, said: "Trooper Ratu Babakobau was an outstanding soldier, who was destined for great things in the Regiment. His loss is an enormous tragedy to the Household Cavalry. We have lost a top soldier and his family have lost a loving husband and father.

"He was a big man, in every sense, loved and respected by all and his loss will be sorely felt."

Lieutenant Colonel David Richmond said: "He had excelled himself as a truly versatile Household Cavalryman, rising to become a star of the Mounted Regiment, proving to be one of the best troopers in his squadron.

"In a very short space of time at the Household Cavalry Regiment he had yet again proved himself to be a highly adaptable and determined, proud and professional soldier, who had bags of potential and so much to give. He was already a leader of men."

Lieutenant Colonel David Richmond, Commanding Officer, 5 SCOTS Brigade said: "Trooper Ratu Babakobau died in action doing a job he loved and excelled in, surrounded by men who held him in the highest regard. He possessed all of the best qualities of a British soldier: selfless commitment, utter professionalism and the absolute will to win.

"He also had a strong morale compass and an acute sense of fun.”

Major Will Bartle-Jones RHG/D, D Squadron Leader, said of him: "He made an instant impact on arrival from the Mounted Regiment, with his unrivalled professionalism, thirst for knowledge and truly Trojan prowess on the rugby pitch.

"He displayed a great deal of humility which belied his capabilities as an armoured vehicle driver and he took a great deal of personal pride in his work. He was highly respected by all ranks, across both Regiments, tipped to be one of the first Fijian SNCOs, with responsibility he would have revelled in and with the chance to show his myriad of talents.

"Our thoughts and prayers are very much with his wife and children in Windsor, but also his extended family in Fiji at this immensely difficult time."

He was survived by his wife Camari and two sons, Ratu Seru, aged four, and Ratu Sakeasi Sucumailodoni Selamu, aged one.