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Prince William to Leave British Military Prince William to Leave British Military
(35 minutes later)
LONDON — After more than seven years of service as a guards officer and pilot, Prince William is to end his military service to focus on charitable work and conservation issues, particularly the protection of endangered species, the royal family announced on Thursday.LONDON — After more than seven years of service as a guards officer and pilot, Prince William is to end his military service to focus on charitable work and conservation issues, particularly the protection of endangered species, the royal family announced on Thursday.
The announcement came less than two months after his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, the former Kate Middleton, gave birth to a baby boy, Prince George. Prince William’s departure from the military seemed to signal a major lifestyle change, ending the couple’s remote existence on the Welsh island of Anglesey, where Prince William, second in line to the throne, is a helicopter search-and-rescue pilot.The announcement came less than two months after his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, the former Kate Middleton, gave birth to a baby boy, Prince George. Prince William’s departure from the military seemed to signal a major lifestyle change, ending the couple’s remote existence on the Welsh island of Anglesey, where Prince William, second in line to the throne, is a helicopter search-and-rescue pilot.
“The duke will work closely over the next twelve 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,” an official statement said. Royal officials were quoted in the British media as saying the prince planned a “transitional” year and would make a formal announcement about his future role in public service within 12 months.
“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. The duke is currently considering a number of options for public service, a further announcement on which will follow in due course.” “The duke will work closely over with a foundation he has established with his wife, and with his younger brother, Prince Harry.” an official statement said. “He will expand his work in the field of conservation, particularly in respect of endangered species.”
The timing of the move was not specified, but the statement said the couple, along with Prince George, “are expected to move into their official residence at Kensington Palace within the next few weeks.” “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,” the statement continues. “The duke is currently considering a number of options for public service, a further announcement on which will follow in due course.”
The timing of the move was not specified, but the statement said the couple, along with Prince George, “are expected to move into their official residence at Kensington Palace within the next few weeks.” He was reported to have completed his last shift as a search-and-rescue helicopter pilot on Tuesday.
Prince William began his military training at Sandhurst, the top officer training college, in January 2006 and became an officer in elite guards units before transferring to the air force.Prince William began his military training at Sandhurst, the top officer training college, in January 2006 and became an officer in elite guards units before transferring to the air force.
He trained as a search-and-rescue pilot beginning in January 2009 and moved to Anglesey a year later, where he was known as Flight Lieutenant Wales.He trained as a search-and-rescue pilot beginning in January 2009 and moved to Anglesey a year later, where he was known as Flight Lieutenant Wales.
“He has undertaken a total of 156 search-and-rescue operations, resulting in 149 people being rescued,” the statement said.“He has undertaken a total of 156 search-and-rescue operations, resulting in 149 people being rescued,” the statement said.
Military service has long been a royal tradition. The Duke of Edinburgh, the prince’s grandfather, saw active service in the navy during World War II, and his uncle, Prince Andrew, was a pilot during the Falklands War in 1982. Prince William’s brother, Prince Harry, flew combat missions in an attack helicopter in Afghanistan, and their father, father, Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, currently holds the ranks of admiral in the Royal Navy, air chief marshal in the Royal Air Force and general in the army. Military service has long been a royal tradition, dating back centuries to eras of conquest and defeat that defined the dynasties and domains of Europe and punctuated history with the exploits of such bellicose monarchs as William the Conqueror in the 11th century and Henry V in the 15th.
Even in relatively recent times, the Duke of Edinburgh, the prince’s grandfather, saw active service in the navy during World War II, and his uncle, Prince Andrew, was a navy helicopter co-pilot during the Falklands War in 1982. Prince William’s brother, Prince Harry, flew combat missions in an attack helicopter in Afghanistan, and their father, Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, currently holds the ranks of admiral in the Royal Navy, air chief marshal in the Royal Air Force and general in the army.
Outranking them all, though, is Queen Elizabeth II who, the royal Web site says, “as sovereign is head of the armed forces. She is also the wife, mother and grandmother of individuals either having served, or are currently serving, in the armed forces.”