Prince on the piste...
Party prince downs shots with his pals at ski resort
PRINCE William is quitting as an air ambulance pilot to concentrate on royal service... but seems more interested here in the drinks service.
The future king knocked back the booze on a ski holiday with pals.
He lived it up during a weekend break at the exclusive resort of Verbier in Switzerland without wife Kate and their two children.
Wills, 34, was then a noticeable absentee at a major royal event yesterday. Opponents say the prince’s actions might show he is not committed to his role.
Graham Smith, chief executive of anti-monarchy campaign group Republic, said: “The understanding was he was leaving his other job so he could do more royal duties but is he willing to do anything other than lead his own not-so-quiet life?
“It doesn’t seem he is doing what is expected. He is happy to take money off the taxpayer so he needs to step up and do something in return.
“I wonder whether he actually wants to be king. Maybe this is a sign he’s not that interested.”
Wills showed his skill on the ski slopes before it was the Jägerbombs, liqueur Jägermeister mixed with energy drinks, that slipped down fast.
He high-fived friends before the group, including his party-loving best pal Guy Pelly, retired to a top restaurant where steaks cost up to £50. Other than the Countess of Wessex, on an official visit to Malawi, Wills and Kate were the only high-ranking royals who missed ceremonies at Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey yesterday as the Queen set the Commonwealth Games baton on its trip around the globe. Wills plans to leave his 20 hours a week job at East Anglian Air Ambulance this summer but is set to do less royal engagements than dad Prince Charles, 68.