Britain’s Prince William quits his job in the East Anglian Air Ambulance service
LONDON -- Britain's Prince William is set to complete his final shift as an air ambulance pilot on Thursday. He is leaving his post in order to dedicate his time to royal duties.
The Duke of Cambridge joined the East Anglian Air Ambulance service in 2015 after nearly five years as a pilot in Britain's Royal Air Force. During his tenure, he responded to people needing help on roadsides, in backyards, and on beaches.
One of his first 'call-outs' was in response to the suicide of a young man.
"It was an incredibly tough day and had a profound effect on all of us, not least in my determination now to draw attention to this issue," William said in a statement.
Later, alongside his wife Catherine, he founded the charity Heads Together, which seeks to empower people to address mental health issues.
"You need to be physically and mentally fit to do this job properly and so we are encouraged to talk through the things we have seen, to share the trauma within the team," the prince continued. "I now know though that there are things that cannot be unseen and experiences that our first responders deal with on a daily basis that they will carry with them for life."
In a separate statement released by Kensington Palace, William said, "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."