Less than a year after stepping down as an Royal Air Force helicopter pilot to become a full time royal, Prince William is returning to the cockpit, this time as an air ambulance pilot in eastern England, the palace announced.
This new role will see his royal family moving to their countryside estate. Joined by wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and 1 year old Prince George, Prince William may be hoping for a return to the quieter life he enjoyed in remote Wales.
“He wants to go back to work,” said royal expert Neil Sean. “He's enjoyed his time doing royal duties, but I think all the family, Kate included, are kind of itching to get back to some normality.”
In addition to limiting his demanding royal duties, this new role will offer the prince a chance to return to an important job he loves - saving lives.
“It's unpredictable but at the same time it's great that you actually get to go out and save someone’s life or at least make a difference to someone,” Prince William said.
Patrick Peal, chief executive of East Anglia Air Service, echoed his thoughts. “It's a vital service and it provides life-saving work and we're very pleased that his highness has chosen to fly with our charity,” he said.
The palace confirms that the Duke of Cambridge's primary role will be an air ambulance pilot but that he will still undertake duties and responsibilities on behalf of the queen, both in the United Kingdom and overseas.
