Britain, January 03: Prince William will focus on his military career and not be groomed as a “shadow King,” a royal spokesman said today.
In two weeks the 27-year-old second in line to the British throne begins his first foreign tour on behalf of the Queen, sparking speculation he would step up his duties, Sky News reports.
The five-day trip to Australia and New Zealand starts on January 17.
But St James’ Palace quashed the rumor the prince will become substantially more prominent, potentially at the expense of his father, Prince Charles.
Instead he will spend most of 2010 continuing his training as a search and rescue pilot, as planned.
The spokesman told The Sunday Telegraph of London, “Prince William will not be a shadow king. The possibility is not even being considered.
“Over the next few years, Prince William will be concentrating primarily on a military career while also slightly increasing his (charity) patronages and the other interests that he pursues.”
The prince is patron of 13 charities and president of the Football Association.
In December he spent a night sleeping on London’s streets to raise awareness of Centrepoint, a charity that works with homeless young people.
—Agencies