Prince William may finish his duties as a Search and Rescue pilot early.
The British royal’s three year tour of duty does not end until September, but he has completed the minimum amount of time he is required to serve, fuelling rumors he could go on paternity leave later this summer in time for the birth of his first child.
A royal source told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: ”He hasn’t made a final decision yet on his future but he is there or thereabouts. His tour of duty can finish any time between the end of March and September and the expectation is that it will be over towards the latter half of that period.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense added William is due to sit for a review with his superiors.
The spokesperson said: ”The review happens about six months from the end of the tour. An individual might move on before the end date of their tour, depending on the availability of personnel, they may stay in post or they may even be asked to stay on longer, if required. There are no hard and fast rules.”
While William, 30, is likely to finish his duties at RAF Valley on Anglesey, Wales, before he becomes a father, it is not known where his career will take him next and if he will later take up another post in the Royal Air Force, or concentrate on royal duties full time.
One possibility could see him ask for a transfer to a Search and Rescue squadron based at Wattisham, Suffolk, closer to London, where he and the Duchess of Cambridge are expected to live.
William has previously said he would prefer to give his family as normal as start in life as possible, making it likely he will stay in the armed forces.