Royal Watch News

Prince William may return to Household Cavalry

Dec 3, 2012, 12:02 GMT

Prince William

Prince William is thinking of returning to the Household Cavalry.

The 30-year-old British royal may leave the Royal Air Force (RAF) - for whom he works as a search-and-rescue helicopter pilot - to go back to the regiment, as it will allow him more time for royal duties.

William's current role - which he needs to decide by the end of this month whether to sign up to for another four years - involves a strict flying rota, meaning the flexibility to increase his royal services would be difficult.

A source told the Daily Telegraph newspaper:

'William knows that, once he becomes a full-time working royal, there is no turning back.

'That is why a switch to another of the Armed Forces is seriously being considered. It will allow him the life he loves while freeing him for more royal duties - a sort of happy compromise.'

If William returned to the Household Cavalry, where

he served with the Blues and Royals as a troop commander in an armoured reconnaissance unit in 2006, he would be based in London or Windsor.

This would fit his family life better as he and his wife Duchess Catherine - known as Kate Middleton before they married in April 2011 - are due to relocate to an apartment in Kensington Palace in the coming months.

A royal spokesman said: 'The Duke's choices remain to undertake another tour of duty with the Search and Rescue Force; undertake another role within the Armed Forces, should one be available to him; or leave his full time job with the military and take on other public duties.'