Prince William to step down as air ambulance pilot to focus on royal duties – but he won’t take on as many as Charles because he ‘doesn’t want to elbow him out the way’
The Duke of Cambridge will move his family to London as he takes on more Royal responsibilities
PRINCE William will quit his pilot career to take on full-time Royal duties this year - but won't be taking on as many duties as Prince Charles as he "doesn't want to be seen as elbowing his father out of the way".
It is understood that the Duke of Cambridge is set to leave East Anglian Air Ambulance this summer as the Queen eases back her Royal duties, but will not be taking on more work than his 68-year-old father or aunt Princess Anne.
Wills, 34, based in Norfolk for work, will move his family to London in what is described as a “big shift” in his approach to Royal responsibilities.
He will make Kensington Palace the family home with the Duchess of Cambridge, 35.
William recently rejected suggestions he was a reluctant or work-shy Royal — insisting he took his responsibilities “very seriously”.
A royal source said there had been “no pressure from above” to increase William’s workload but “he knew there would come a point where this would be his life for ever more. He has always been a lot less reluctant than people think to take on more work and this phase of his lif
The switch comes after months of talks with the Royal family, who are said to be “very supportive” of the Prince's decision.
He said he did not “lie awake waiting or hoping” to be king and "if you’re not careful, duty can weigh you down a awful lot at an early age.”
The Duke is reported to have considered the option of keeping George and Charlotte at Anmer Hall, their Norfolk home, while Kate looked after them in the week.
But the couple eventually decided they did not want to spend so much time apart.
Following the family's move from Norfolk, Prince George will start school in the capital while Princess Charlotte will attend nursery.
He and Kate are still deciding on a school for Prince George and are considering Wetherby pre-prep in Notting Hill, the same school William and Harry attended.
A source told the paper: “The Duke and Duchess are a strong team and believe in their family and supporting each other.
“They will always put their family first while juggling family commitments with their work.”
A royal source added: “This is a natural evolution of the new generation of the royal family.”
William started work for the air ambulance in 2015.
While royal aides insist William is ready to commit to official life, friends say the duke will miss the normality and privacy he has enjoyed while living and working away from the royal spotlight. One friend said: “I know he has really loved living in Norfolk and being just one of the lads at work. He loves the banter.”
A royal source added: “He will really miss the flying. He does love it.”
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