Prince William takes over charity role

OHMYGOSSIP — Prince William has signalled he will assume a full-time senior royal role by the end of the year, by replacing the Duke of Edinburgh as patron of the Fields in Trust charity.

Prince William has signalled he will assume a full-time senior royal role by the end of the year. The 30-year-old British prince has replaced his grandfather, The Duke of Edinburgh, as patron of the Fields in Trust charity, provoking rumours he will be retiring from the Royal Air Force (RAF) to attend royal duties.

The Duke of Edinburgh, 91, announced today (10.04.13) he was retiring as president of the Fields in Trust – which looks after sports grounds in the UK – after 64 years, passing the mantle down to the Prince.

The charity is very close to the Duke’s heart, as it is one of the first he took on after marrying Queen Elizabeth in 1947.

A spokesperson for the group said: “Despite the continuing pressure to dispose of playing fields, the number protected by Fields in Trust has grown from 430 sites to 2,871 sites.

“This could not have been done without the support and help of His Royal Highness.

“Fields in Trust owes an enormous debt to His Royal Highness and it is very difficult to express properly the sense of gratitude and appreciation for all that His Royal Highness has done for the charity.”

William’s three-year tour of duty as a Search and Rescue pilot in the RAF does not end until September, although he has completed the minimum amount of time he is required to serve, fuelling rumours he could go on paternity leave later this summer in time for the birth of his first child with the Duchess of Cambridge.

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