Prince William: End of the Year News

The beard, the career, the girlfriend. Those three things are the most talked about issues surrounding Prince William as 2008 ends.

Prince William at the Christmas morning service at Sandringham church, December 25, 2008. image credit: newscom

The prince’s full set of facial hair, which he grew during a Special Boat Service exercise last month, was still very much around on Christmas Day. He might be trying to keep it as long as he can, knowing that it will have to go once he starts his stint with the Royal Air Force next month.

Prince William does have his share of hairy admirers, as evidenced by the Beard Liberation Front awarding him the runner-up spot for the annual Beard of the Year Award. He was beaten to the top award by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, and the Welsh singer Sir Tom Jones.

In January, Prince William will start an 18-month training course with the Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Unit. After the course, Prince William is expected to remain with the unit for at least 30 months beginning in 2010. He will get a chance to learn how to fly Sea King helicopters. Prince William has already learned to pilot Chinook helicopters during a 4-month stint with the RAF  early this year. His return to the RAF means a transfer from the Army’s Blues and Royals regiment.

The changes in Prince William’s military career plans have fueled speculation (once again) of whether or not he will (ever) propose to his long-time girlfriend Kate Middleton. Bookies are now taking bets on whether there will be an engagement announcement on New Years Day and whether the couple will get married in 2009.

So at the end of 2008, these are the three questions we have about Prince William:

• Will he shave his beard off before the New Year?
• Will he continue with the RAF after his training is over?
• Will he get engaged to Kate Middleton?

Will he or won’t he?