Prince William has a busy year scheduled for 2008. Royal officials say his priority is to develop his military career in all three branches of the Armed Forces.

In January he will leave the Household Cavalry after two years service, for an extended spell with the RAF. He will spend several months learning to fly fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, a long-held boyhood dream.

Then, following a summer break, the Prince will spend the rest of the year with the Royal Navy, becoming the first modern Royal to serve in all three branches of the military.

A senior Royal aide said, “Effectively, Prince William will spend half the year with the RAF and then the second half with the Royal Navy. … William is particularly excited by the prospect of learning to fly and learning how the RAF do their job. By the end of next year, he will have a more thorough grounding in the three services than any other previous Royal.”

Another commented, “There had been some thought that he might be seconded as an Army officer and continue to wear his Army uniform. But now it has been decided he will be commissioned into the RAF and serve in RAF uniform with the rank of Flying Officer. Then he will be commissioned into the Royal Navy and wear the Royal Navy uniform while he serves as a lieutenant. He will continue to draw his Army salary during this time.”

Prince William’s military career will end in December 2008 or January 2009. He intends to gain some work experience in government before becoming a working member of the Royal Family.

He will also continue his role in seven charities, and in Royal events like Trooping the Colour and the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph. He will keep his links with underprivileged children as Patron of Centrepoint, the charity for young homeless people, and for his father’s biggest charity, the Prince’s Trust.

A source is quoted as saying, “It would be wrong to assume that, overnight, he will suddenly start doing 500 engagements a year like his father, but his duties will gradually escalate”.

A busy year ahead then with not much room to manouevre romantically.

We shall see.

As well as winning over the people of the United Kingdom to her side, Kate Middleton is also securing support in our broadsheet newspapers.

Political analyst Simon Heffer of the Telegraph includes her in his People of the World 2008 roundup in today’s paper, under the heading, Wish Kate Middleton well — for all our sakes. Here are a few choice cutlets :

One of the few people we should wish unequivocally well for 2008 is poor old Kate Middleton, who (like some nice young girls before her) fell for a prince and had a rotten time as a result. [...]

I can foresee a time, in about 30 years, when the House of Windsor is going through a rocky patch, and when a sensible, jolly girl like Queen Kate is just the person to put it back on its feet. [...]

It is much easier to beat up our Royal Family than to be constructive about it … I suspect our future as a nation depends rather more on the welfare of King William V than we yet understand.

Excellent summary from a heavyweight political pundit. Long may he reign.

There’s an interesting report from the Reuters News Agency today :

“LONDON (Reuters) – Britons favour Prince William over his father Charles as their next monarch, with widespread approval for William’s girlfriend boosting his ratings, a poll shows.

“More than half of 1,000 people polled said they would prefer the second-in-line to be the next to take the throne. Prince William’s popularity is greatest among the younger generation, with 70 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds favouring him as the next king, compared to just 47 percent of 55- to 64-year-olds.

“The groundswell of support appears to have been helped by his rekindled romance with Kate Middleton. Only 18 percent of those surveyed think she would not make a good addition to the royal family.”

The former BBC Royal Correspondent Jennie Bond comments :

Prince Charles does seem to have a real image problem. Even though he is undoubtedly the best-trained heir to the throne we’ve ever had, the public seem reluctant to accept him as king. The damage to his image caused by the break-down of his marriage to Diana seems irreparable.

I think it’s sad; we should be more forgiving as a nation and accept that Charles is a far wiser head on more experienced shoulders than a boy of 25 who still has much to learn and do.

What a dilemma we may be facing when the time comes. Mind you, if Charles becomes King, he will appear a very different personality as the mantle of Monarchy finally wraps around his shoulders.

Royal Anecdotes is taking a break over Christmas. We will be back on Wednesday January 2.