Zee Media Bureau
London: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge has decided to leave the military after more than seven years of service.
The Duke carried out his last shift in Royal Air Force search and rescue pilot on Tuesday.
Prince William has decided to leave military service and work towards expanding his charitable interests especially in the field of conservation and in respect of endangered species.
The 31-year-old second-in-line to Britain`s throne will now focus on royal duties and charity work together with wife Kate Middleton, a spokesperson for the couple`s Kensington Palace home said here today.
His flying career followed that of all newly-graduated pilots, serving initially as a co-pilot before progressing through a range of qualifications to become an operational aircraft Captain in May 2012.
Since first joining the RAF, William has amassed a total of 1,301 flying hours in a variety of aircraft types, including the Tucano fixed-wing training aircraft, followed by more flying in the Squirrel, Griffin and Sea King helicopters.
Air Chief Marshal, Sir Andrew Pulford, Chief of the UK`s Air Staff, praised the duke`s work in the air force.
Sir Andrew said Flight Lieutenant Wales had been an "integral" part of the RAF`s search and rescue force, "often in the most demanding of conditions, (he) has contributed directly to saving lives in the mountains of North Wales and from the ravages of the Irish Sea.
"He has earned the respect of all who have worked with him as a highly professional and competent pilot," he said.
With PTI inputs
