Prince William is to train as a full-time pilot.
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The 26-year-old royal – who learned to fly with the RAF earlier this year and has also completed stints with the Royal Navy and Army – will train with the Royal Air Force’s Search and Rescue Force and has said he is keen to “serve operationally” with the unit.
William, who is an officer in the Household Cavalry Regiment, said: “It has been a real privilege to have spent the past year understanding and experiencing all aspects of the British Armed Forces.
“I now want to build on the experience and training I have received to serve operationally – especially because, for good reasons, I was not able to deploy to Afghanistan this year with D Squadron of the Household Cavalry Regiment.
“The time I spent with the RAF earlier this year made me realise how much I love flying.
“Joining Search and Rescue is a perfect opportunity for me to serve in the Forces operationally, while contributing to a vital part of the country’s emergency services.”
Clarence House announced the prince will start his 18-month training course next January, and will continue with his royal and charitable duties until then.
The prince underwent an intensive flying training course earlier this year, and was awarded his RAF wings by his father, Prince Charles, in April.
He flew a propeller-driven Grob 115 E light aircraft on his own just eight-days into his training at RAF Cranwell, then piloted the faster Tucano T1 plane at RAF Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire.
His last placement took him to RAF Shawbury in Shropshire, where he learnt to fly the Squirrel helicopter.
