Serving out your notice, Wills? Prince is spotted hard at work as air ambulance pilot - after announcing that he'll quit this summer to become 'full-time royal' 

  • Prince William has been spotted hard at work in his job as an air ambulance pilot
  • Duke of Cambridge helped prepare stretcher for injured patient in Bedfordshire
  • It comes a week after he announced he would be quitting the role in the summer
  • 34-year-old will focus on becoming a 'full-time royal' carrying out official duties 

Just last week he announced he would be quitting his job as an air ambulance pilot to focus on becoming a 'full-time royal'.

But today Prince William was spotted hard at work as he helped prepare a stretcher for an injured patient in Bedfordshire.

The Duke of Cambridge has confirmed he will be leaving his role with the East Anglia Air Ambulance this summer, 18 months after taking up the post.

Prince William was seen helping to prepare a stretcher for an injured patient in Bedfordshire

Prince William was seen helping to prepare a stretcher for an injured patient in Bedfordshire

The Duke of Cambridge
Prince William

The Duke of Cambridge (pictured in July 2016, left and right, in front of a Sea King helicopter at RAF Valley in Anglesey, Wales in 2013) joined the East Anglian Air Ambulance in July 2015

Instead, Prince William will concentrate on carrying out official duties on behalf of the Queen.

The 34-year-old royal, who is second-in-line to the throne, will also base his family in London rather than their current home in Norfolk. 

Bedfordshire Police tweeted a photo of the Duke of Cambridge carrying out his life-saving piloting duties after his helicopter landed at their headquarters in Bedford.

The tweet said: 'HRH #PrinceWilliam was @bedspolice in the #Airambulance helping the injured #Caring #Royal #Thank you #Emergency.'

Last week Prince William paid tribute to his air ambulance colleagues, describing them as 'talented people that save lives every day'.

Last week's announcement said that William and Kate wanted to increase both their official duties on behalf of the Queen

Last week's announcement said that William and Kate wanted to increase both their official duties on behalf of the Queen

In a statement, issued on his behalf by Kensington Palace, he said it was a 'privilege' to fly with the organisation.

The announcement said that William and Kate wanted to increase both their official duties on behalf of the Queen and their charity work, meaning more time in London.

Prince George, who is three, will begin school in London in September while sister Princess Charlotte, two in May, will start nursery in the capital and later go to school in the city.

The Duke said in the statement: 'It has been a huge privilege to fly with the East Anglian Air Ambulance. 

'Following on from my time in the military, I have had experiences in this job I will carry with me for the rest of my life, and that will add a valuable perspective to my royal work for decades to come.

'I would like to thank the people of East Anglia for being so supportive of my role and for letting me get on with the job when they have seen me in the community or at our region's hospitals.

'I would especially like to thank all of my colleagues at EAAA, Babcock and Cambridge airport for their friendship and support.

'I have loved being part of a team of professional, talented people that save lives every day.

'My admiration for our country's medical and emergency services community could not be any stronger.' 

Prince William said he would leave his role to spend more time in London with his young family

Prince William said he would leave his role to spend more time in London with his young family

It was announced that the Duke would become a full-time pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance service in 2014. He is on a roster of day and night shifts which last nine and a half hours.

Since July 2015 he has been based out of Cambridge Airport. He flies an EC145 T2 aircraft and, in common with all other East Anglian Air Ambulance pilots, is formally employed by Bond Air Services. He draws a salary which he donates to charity.

The Queen, who turned 90 last year, has slashed the number of official engagements she carries out and announced before Christmas that she would step down as patron of a number of organisations.

Those duties are being passed on to son and heir Prince Charles and other members of the Royal Family.

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