Prince William Leaving Armed Forces, Focusing on Charity

Prince William Leaving Armed Forces, Focusing on Charity
Prince William waits for his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II to arrive for an official visit to RAF Valley where Prince William is stationed as a search and rescue helicopter pilot in Holyhead, United Kingdom, on April 1, 2011. Christopher Furlong - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Tara MacIsaac
Updated:

Prince William finished his work as a military rescue pilot on Tuesday, Kensington Palace announced.

After seven years in the service, he will now take a transitional year to consider “a number of options for public service,” according to the Palace statement, cited by Sky News. A further announcement will follow “in due course,” the Palace said.

He will particularly focus on charity work over the coming year, especially related to children, veterans, and endangered species.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford told Sky News that Prince William, or Flight Lieutenant Wales, served well as part of the Search and Rescue Force.

“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,” Sir Andrew said. 

“He has earned the respect of all who have worked with him as a highly professional and competent pilot.”

Prince William, his wife, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, and their son, Prince George, are expected to move into their official residence at Kensington Palace within the next few weeks.