Prince William has completed his final duties as a search and rescue helicopter pilot with the RAF, Kensington Palace has today announced.The Duke of Cambridge has left his operational duties in the armed forces and is now looking to expand his charity work, particularly in the field of conservation and endangered species.
William, who carried out his last operational shift on Tuesday, is to continue to carry out royal engagements but is not expected to increase his number of public duties.
Sources have said the prince, who became a father in July, is in a 'transitional' year and is considering options for his 'public service'.
Prince William (left, by a Sea King helicopter
and, right, at the 60 Squadron Defence helicopter flying school at RAF
Shawbury, in Shrewsbury) has completed his tour as an RAF search and
rescue helicopter pilot
The Duke was known as Flight Lieutenant Wales in the air force and was based at RAF Valley on Anglesey
Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge present their baby George to the world for the very first time
Kensington Palace said in a statement: 'His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge is to leave operational service in the Armed Forces.
'He completes his Tour with the Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Force at RAF Valley, Anglesey, after more than seven-and-a-half years of full-time military service.
'He will continue to support the work of the Queen and the Royal Family through a programme of official engagements, both at home and overseas, with The Duchess of Cambridge.
'The Duke will work closely over the next 12 months with the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. He will expand his work in the field of conservation, particularly in respect of endangered species.
'The Duke will continue to work with his charities on issues relating to children and young people, veterans and serving members of the Armed Forces.
Prince William (second right) stands with his
search and rescue crew, (from left to right) winchman Sergeant Ed
Griffith, Flight Lieutenant Alan Connor and winch operator Sergeant Paul
Jones, in 2011
'The Duke is currently considering a number of options for public service, a further announcement on which will follow in due course.
THE DUKE'S CV: FROM NURSERY TO THE MILITARY
Prince William first attended Mrs Maynor's School before joining Wetherby School, in London, at the age of four in January 1987.
He remained there until July 1990 when he left for Ludgrove School, in Berkshire.
In 1995 he moved on to Eton College, where he took A-levels in geography, biology and history of art.
After completing his studies at Eton he went on a gap year, during which time he visited Chile, Belize and Africa.
Upon his return in 2001, he enrolled at St Andrews University, in Fife, Scotland, graduating with a 2:1 in geography in 2005.
His military career began when he followed his brother Prince Harry into Sandhurst more than seven years ago.
He graduated from the college in December 2006 and was commissioned as an officer into the British Army.
He went on to join Harry's regiment, the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals, and was promoted to lieutenant in 2007.
In September 2008 it was announced that William wanted to become a full time RAF search and rescue pilot.
He began training in January 2009, later completing advanced helicopter flying training at the Defence Helicopter Flying School based at RAF Shawbury near Shrewsbury in Shropshire and undergoing the search and rescue conversion course at RAF Valley in Anglesey, North Wales.
He became a full-time operational search and rescue pilot at RAF Valley and has been serving with C Flight, 22 Squadron, on Anglesey since September 2010.
He remained there until July 1990 when he left for Ludgrove School, in Berkshire.
In 1995 he moved on to Eton College, where he took A-levels in geography, biology and history of art.
After completing his studies at Eton he went on a gap year, during which time he visited Chile, Belize and Africa.
Upon his return in 2001, he enrolled at St Andrews University, in Fife, Scotland, graduating with a 2:1 in geography in 2005.
His military career began when he followed his brother Prince Harry into Sandhurst more than seven years ago.
He graduated from the college in December 2006 and was commissioned as an officer into the British Army.
He went on to join Harry's regiment, the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals, and was promoted to lieutenant in 2007.
In September 2008 it was announced that William wanted to become a full time RAF search and rescue pilot.
He began training in January 2009, later completing advanced helicopter flying training at the Defence Helicopter Flying School based at RAF Shawbury near Shrewsbury in Shropshire and undergoing the search and rescue conversion course at RAF Valley in Anglesey, North Wales.
He became a full-time operational search and rescue pilot at RAF Valley and has been serving with C Flight, 22 Squadron, on Anglesey since September 2010.
Source: royal.gov.uk
William was expected to leave the military and return to London with Kate and baby son Prince George rather than opt for another tour of duty with the RAF.
The Duke was known as Flight Lieutenant Wales in the air force and was based at RAF Valley on Anglesey. During his three-year tour he took part in 156 search and rescue operations, with 149 people being rescued.
He would have discussed his military future, like all pilots, with a career manager known as a desk officer.
But as William will one day be king, his future is dictated to a large degree and he has to prepare himself for that role.
The decision might have been taken reluctantly as the Duke spoke movingly about his time in Wales in a speech at a country show on Anglesey last month.
William said: 'This island has been our first home together, and it will always be an immensely special place for us both. Catherine and I look forward to returning again and again over the coming years with our family.'
With the birth of George in July, the Cambridges are now a family unit and will soon move into their refurbished Kensington Palace apartment.
It will be their main home but the royal couple are also expected to move into their country retreat, Anmer Hall, on the Queen's private Sandringham estate in Norfolk, later this year.
The head of the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford, praised the Duke's work in the air force.
Sir Andrew, Chief of the Air Staff, said: 'Flight Lieutenant Wales has been an integral part of the Royal Air Force's Search and Rescue Force, as a Sea King pilot on No. 22 Squadron, based at Royal Air Force Valley for the past three years.
'Throughout his tour his airmanship, often in the most demanding of conditions, has contributed directly to saving lives in the mountains of North Wales and from the ravages of the Irish Sea.
'The Duke is currently considering a
number of options for public service, a further announcement on which
will follow in due course'
- Kensington Palace
'He has earned the respect of all who have worked with him as a highly professional and competent pilot.'- Kensington Palace
An RAF spokesman said William had an uneventful final 24-hour shift which ended on Tuesday morning.
He said: 'They conducted a routine training flight, but thankfully, there were no incidents requiring their services across north Wales or the Irish Sea.'
William received gifts from his colleagues when his last shift ended including a plinth-mounted cyclic control stick top, presented by AgustaWestland shift engineering manager Stephen Sedgwick.
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