Britain's Prince William starts air ambulance pilot job

The Duke of Cambridge started his duties as an air ambulance pilot on Monday morning, saying he was feeling nervous about starting his new job.

Kensington Palace said on Monday that the prince started his duties as a pilot for East Anglian Air Ambulance. He is to be based at Cambridge Airport and work with doctors, paramedics and pilots across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

Local media reported that Prince William started his first shift at 7:00 a.m. local time (0600 GMT), and his first mission was at 9:20 a.m. (0820 GMT) on Monday morning.

"It's my first day and I'm feeling the nerves. We're starting off on a wet Cambridge day, but I'm really looking forward to getting started," Prince William told local media.

"It's been a lot of effort and patience in training but we're here now and I'm looking forward to doing the job," he said.

Prince William's first shift was nine-and-a-half hours as part of a four days on, four days off rotation. He will work first as a co-pilot before completing the requisite flying hours to become a pilot.

His pay is to be donated to charity.

Kensington Palace said this job was to be the Duke's primary occupation, but his roster would take into account the duties and responsibilities he would continue to undertake on behalf of the Queen, both in Britain and overseas. Endit