Will Prince William Become King? Duke Of Cambridge To Quit Being Air Ambulance Pilot To Take On More Royal Duties, Reports Say

England’s Prince William will be ending his career as a helicopter pilot with East Anglian Air Ambulance this summer to concentrate on more royal duties, local media reported. The move comes soon after Queen Elizabeth’s absence from her usual public appearances during the festival season gave rise to speculation over her succession.

Prince William, 34, is the elder son of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Diana, Princess of Wales, and the second in line to succeed his grandmother after his father. The Duke of Cambridge is currently based in Norfolk for work, but will move his family — wife Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, son Prince George and daughter Princess Charlotte — to Kensington Palace in London for the “big shift” in his royal responsibilities.

According to the Sunday Times, the decision came after a lot of discussion and is being supported by members of the British royal family. Prince William will take on additional royal duties as the queen, the longest reigning monarch in British history, takes a step back because of her health. Reports added William is being cautious to not overshadow his father Prince Charles, who is the next in line to the throne.

Prince William and Middleton spent 80 days and 63 days respectively on official engagements last year, while Prince Charles spent 139 days on public engagements. The busiest calendar, however, was the queen’s daughter’s — Princess Anne clocked in 179 days of public engagements.

“Some people may question why William still won’t do as much as Princess Anne but he is dead set on not queering his father’s pitch,” a friend told the Sunday Times. “He sees that Charles will probably be in his seventies before he becomes king and he doesn’t want to be seen as elbowing his father out the way.”

As Prince William and his family move to London, Prince George will start school in the capital — the family is reportedly considering Wetherby Pre-Preparatory School in Notting Hill which William and his brother Prince Harry attended — while Princess Charlotte will attend nursery.