Prince William works his final air ambulance shift as he commits himself to serving a life as a full-time royal
Duke of Cambridge ends an era of life in the real world and will step up to the plate as the Duke of Edinburgh retires
PRINCE William completes his last air ambulance shift today - ending an era of life in the real world.
The Duke of Cambridge has spoken fondly of his love of his normal job but will now commit himself to serving as a full-time royal.
By quitting at the end of July he has given himself a month's holiday as the Royal Family does few official engagements in August.
But from September he will commit to a lifetime of public service - all building up ultimately to his eventual coronation as King.
The Duke of Cambridge, 35, today brings his two year stint in the cockpit to an end as a life time of duty beckons.
Once dubbed "work-shy Will," the prince will step up to the plate as the Duke of Edinburgh retires.
William has previously been criticised for doing too few official royal engagements but will be expected to pull his weight, regularly taking Prince Philip's place by the Queen's side.
Will and Kate will move their family to Kensington Palace in the autumn, with Princess Charlotte to start nursery and George to begin at £6,000-a-term Thomas' School, in Battersea.
This afternoon, the Duke will pose for photos with his East Anglian Air Ambulance teammates before beginning a night shift at Cambridge Airport.
He will get a briefing on the emergencies colleagues have been rushed out to during the day beforehand.
A Kensington Palace spokesman said: "The Duke of Cambridge will complete his last shift with the East Anglian Air Ambulance on Thursday, July 27, at Cambridge Airport.
"On his final day at work, The Duke will arrive for a night shift, and attend the hand over briefings from the day team as usual.
"He will then join his team-mates at the helicopter he has flown for the past two years for a group photograph.
"Over the last two years, The Duke has enjoyed the opportunity to connect directly with the community of East Anglia and has valued being part of a team that provides such a critical and often life-saving public service."
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Prince William has spoken fondly of his day job but also told of the emotional impact it has had on him.
He told mental health charity mag CALMzine in April: "For me, the tipping point came when I saw the impact of suicide through my work as a helicopter pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
"My first call out was to a male suicide and I was told there were five suicides or attempted suicides every day in East Anglia alone.
"When I looked into it I was shocked by how bad this situation is - suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK - which is absolutely appalling."
The Duke tried in vain to save a dad-of-three who took his own life facing £200,000 of debt in April.
Will flew the man - who was found by bailiffs - to hospital but he died the following day.
In May, Will was rushed to Lee Valley Park, in Cheshunt, Herts, where 17-year-old Robbie Lea drowned while swimming during a heatwave.
Tragically, the prince's team were not able to save the lad.
Will joined the air ambulance in March, 2015, and was in training until July, 2015, when he flew his first mission.
His team of specialist doctors and paramedics treat patients across Beds, Cambs, Norfolk and Suffolk and can reach any spot in the region in 25 minutes.
When on duty he will have been required to land in unusual spots which can include gardens, car parks and even beaches.