Prince William has left the armed forces to become a full-time royal.
Kensington Palace released a statement tonight confirming William will leave “operational service” in the British armed forces.
The news comes two days after the BBC reported William had completed his final shift of his current three-year tour of duty as a search and rescue pilot at RAF Valley in Anglesey, Wales.
But while William’s seven-and-a-half years in active military are coming to an end, his life is likely to become even busier with the number of royal engagements he and wife Kate carry out each year set to dramatically increase.
“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 statement said.
“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.”
William is also considering “a number of options for public service” with a further announcement to be made at a later date.
In his three years on Anglesey, William has participated in 156 search and rescue operations, resulting in 149 people being rescued. He has completed over 1300 flying hours.
William and Kate have expressed their sadness at the prospect of leaving Anglesey but have always understood that William would have to shoulder more royal responsibility as the Queen got older.
The couple and their seven-week-old baby will now return to their two-bedroom cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace to await the completion of renovations to their new family home, the Palace’s 21-room Apartment 1A.
The million-dollar renovations are expected to be complete “in the next few weeks”.
In one of his final public appearances in Anglesey, William thanked the island’s people for being so welcoming and friendly.
“I know that I speak for Catherine when I say that I have never in my life known somewhere as beautiful and as welcoming as Anglesey,” he said.
“I know that both of us will miss it terribly when my search and rescue tour of duty comes to an end and we have to move elsewhere.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you for making my wife and me so welcome when we arrived here, as you do thousands of visitors each year.”
William also said he planned to return to the island for holidays with Prince George and any other children the couple have.
“Catherine and I look forward to returning again and again over the coming years with our family,” William said.
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