William ‘will quit army for royal duty’
PRINCE William will quit the army early to concentrate on learning how to be a monarch, according to palace insiders.
The 24-year-old, who is second in line to the throne, is expected to stand down from his officer’s post in 18 months, it is claimed.
After that, he will dedicate himself to the “art of kingship” and has already promised to play an active role in royal circles.
The claims come just weeks after suggestions his younger brother, Prince Harry, was planning to leave the armed forces, claiming disillusionment following the decision to ban him from serving in Iraq.
Yesterday Palace officials said they were not completely surprised by William’s apparent decision to quit the forces early.
One explained: “He has really matured in the last few years and has come to terms, however reluctantly, with the idea that he is the ’star of the show’.
“As a result, William is starting to approach his duties with a grace and humour that are winning people over.”
But suggestions the prince is choosing full-time royal duties over a military career as an easy option have been dismissed.
The source added: “The idea that he wants to shirk his duties is a gross misrepresentation. The difference is that he does not want to feel that his entire life is being mapped out in front of him.
“He wants instead to actively formulate his future plans and play to his strengths. He will move fairly quickly into the role of being a working royal but it will be on his own terms.”
William will leave the Blues and Royals after undergoing training and will spend brief spells with the other two armed services before finishing his military service completely in early 2009.
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