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.

Another side of the Duchess of Cornwall is beginning to emerge. Not the usual publicity-seeking, politically “correct” nonsense practised by the current Government, but a much more serious and traditional concern.

Richard Kay pens this in today’s Daily Mail :

Ever since she became Royal Colonel of 4th Battalion, The Rifles, the Duchess of Cornwall has taken a close personal interest in the welfare of the 650 men who have just returned from a gruelling tour of Iraq.

“She’s so busy yet finds time to hand write all those letters to our wounded and families,” says one soldier.

People often mistake “low key” for “doing nothing” or lazy, but sometimes it’s just the old-fashioned way of doing a lot … quietly.

As Royal Anecdotes has been predicting for two months, the worthy-of-Wimbledon romance between Kate Middleton and Prince William is definitely back on.

Both the Sun and the Daily Mail are carrying this story today. The Mail reports, “Prince William has persuaded his long-time girlfriend Kate Middleton to get back together again 12 weeks after the couple split, it was claimed today. Rumours that the couple … had decided to rekindle their relationship have been rife since she appeared on Sunday at a concert in honour of William’s late mother Diana.”

A source told the Sun, “William has persuaded Kate the problems of dating a future King are a price worth paying. Only when they took a step back did they have space to examine how they really felt about each other. They have now talked through their problems and are closer than ever.”

There has been no official confirmation from William’s aides yet. “It is not something we are going to comment on at all, I am afraid.”

The Sun is saying that the couple are expected to make the news public soon at a Polo match. They are also downplaying expectations of a Royal engagement any time soon.

As Royal Anecdotes speculated after William’s announcement that he was leaving the Army early, it is “very unlikely” that the couple will get engaged before January 2009 when William is set to hand in his commission.

So now we know.

Or do we?

It’s Prince William’s 25th birthday today, Midsummer day. A quarter of a century has passed since he came into the world. What a lot has happened in that time. I’m guessing it feels like an aeon to him. As he said last week, time has passed very slowly in the last 10 years.

Today, William gains access to part of the inheritance left to him by his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales. Her £21m ($42m) estate has been split equally between William and Prince Harry, which, after deducting £8m ($16m) inheritance tax, leaves them around £6.5m ($13m) each.

Diana’s estate was largely made up of stocks and shares, jewellery, a reported £18m ($36m) divorce settlement, dresses and personal items from Kensington Palace.

Some changes have been made to Diana’s will, however. William may now access the income generated by the investment of his cut, believed to be around £250K to £300K ($600K) a year.

Added to the £22K ($44K) he currently earns as a Cornet in the Blues and Royals, it represents quite a few nights out at Boujis and Mahiki, However, sources have said he will not touch the capital of his inheritance yet, since his accommodation, staff and polo playing are paid for by the Duchy Of Cornwall. He also has access to funds left in trust for him by his great grandmother the Queen Mother.

William is said to be spending his birthday training as usual with the Army at Lulworth in Dorset — but don’t rule out a drink in the mess later.

Royal Anecdotes wishes Prince William a very happy birthday and many more to come.