Prince William is to become a helicopter pilot for East Anglian Air Ambulance, it was announced yesterday.

The Duke of Cambridge will join the charity in the spring next year, after completing a mandatory period of training.

He will be formally employed by Bond Air Services, a company which provides all the pilots for the charity, and will draw a salary which he will donate in full to a charity. Which charity will receive his salary has not yet been named.

The prince previously worked as a pilot in the Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Force from 2009 to 2013.

East Anglian Air Ambulance was founded in 2000, and covers Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. It operates two helicopters from bases in Norwich and Cambridge, and has an income of more than £7m a year.

Andrew Egerton Smith, chairman of the charity, said “Having the Duke of Cambridge as one of our pilots is marvellous news as he brings much experience to the charity after his successful career as a search and rescue pilot.

“We have an outstanding track record of attending people in the hour of need which is recognised and generously supported by our local communities.”