Recruit makes history after being selected to become elite regiment's first ...

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Field Marshall Montgomery, exalting the prowess of the first British paratroopers, famously said: 'What manner of men are these who wear the maroon beret? They are men apart – every man an emperor'.

Today, Monty would have to amend his praise. For the first time in its history, the Parachute Regiment has given a female officer cadet the chance to lead its troops.

Hannah Knapton will join one of the Paras' battalions later this year having beaten scores of male officer cadets at Sandhurst.

She was interviewed by a board of senior Para officers and is expected to wear her new Parachute Regiment beret on completion of her final exercise at Sandhurst. She will also wear regimental mess kit for the first time at the Academy's commissioning ball.

After passing out as a 2nd Lieutenant, she will receive the legendary maroon beret complete with its winged cap-badge. Formed in 1942, the Parachute Regiment is Britain's elite airborne infantry. Its soldiers are trained to be resilient, disciplined, versatile and aggressive in battle – and their officers must have the toughness and natural leadership ability to command them.

Cadet Knapton grew up in Hampshire and attended Henri Beaufort School in Winchester. A talented athlete, she played football for England Under-17 girls. She continued her football career in Sweden before joining up.

A Sandhurst source said: 'This is a remarkable achievement. For any officer, commanding paratroopers is a daunting prospect. The pressure is huge because the regiment's standards are so high – and if an officer is not cutting it the blokes won't respect them.

'To be the first woman to find herself in this role, that's going to take a lot of courage and composure on her part.

'The regiment is fortunate that it can select its officers from the cream of the crop at Sandhurst, the best of the best. So she must be performing very highly there.