DETERMINED Prince William gave marriage plans the chop to ensure his helicopter career takes off.

The future king’s military service was due to end in December and bookies stopped taking bets on a royal wedding next year.

Fly guy ... Prince William

But Wills, 26, shelved plans to marry long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton for at least TWO YEARS so that he can fly with the RAF’s elite search-and-rescue choppers.

Last night a royal source said: “Kate will have to wait. William wants to throw himself 100 per cent into his RAF career.

“From January he will start an intensive 18-month training period at RAF Kinross in Scotland.

“This rules out him marrying any time before the summer of 2010. It may not be what the public wants to hear, but the champagne must stay on ice for now.”

It had been thought Wills — dating Kate, 26, for six years — would take up full-time royal duties. Instead he will transfer from the Army to the RAF.

If he makes the grade, he will then move on to a three-year operational stint on Sea King helicopters coping with mostly civilian emergencies across the country.

Earlier this year he spent four months gaining his RAF wings and in May The Sun revealed he had fallen in love with flying.

Yesterday Wills said: “It has been a real privilege to have spent the past year understanding and experiencing all aspects of the British Armed Forces.

"I now want to build on the experience and training I have received to serve operationally — especially because, for good reasons, I was not able to deploy to Afghanistan this year with D Squadron of the Household Cavalry Regiment.

Wings of love ... Wills with Kate Middleton

“Joining search and rescue is a perfect opportunity for me to serve in the Forces operationally, while contributing to a vital part of the country’s emergency services.”

Flying Officer Wales, as the Prince will be known, can expect to earn around £30,000 as a pilot and will work 24-hour shifts.

He could opt to be based in Cyprus or the Falklands but it is likely he will serve in the UK for personal and security reasons.

Emergencies the six four-man teams can deal with range from hunting missing hill walkers to winching injured sailors from ships.

The yellow helicopters also helped in recent floods.

GOT a Royal story? Ring The Sun newsdesk on 0207 782 4104, text 63000 or email exclusive@the-sun.co.uk

d.larcombe@the-sun.co.uk

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