Prince William may delay full-time royal duties to continue RAF job

Prince William may delay plans to start full-time royal duties and continue his time in the Royal Air Force, it has emerged.

The second in line to the British throne was said to be aware that his abandoning the RAF in 2012 after his planned three-year tour of duty as a search-and-rescue helicopter pilot will cost taxpayers £400,000.

The 28-year-old royal apparently realises he will have only repaid about half the 800,000 pounds cost of training him if he decides to leave the Army and reportedly wants to extend his military time.

"If you asked William what he plans to do next he would genuinely tell you he has got no firm idea," The Daily Express quoted a source as saying.

"He could well stay in the military in some capacity. He has said publicly that he would like to serve in Afghanistan. That certainly hasn't been ruled out," the source added.

A St James's Palace spokesman said: "It is too early to know what Prince William's plans are after he has served a tour of duty with the search-and-rescue force. Many options will be open to him at the end of his tour."