He appears to be relishing his latest posting to the Falkland Islands as a search and rescue pilot.

Now, Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, has signalled that he will extend his RAF career - and start a family as a serviceman - rather than leave the armed forces next year to become a full-time working royal, as had been expected.

The second in line to the throne is understood to have decided to stay on beyond mid-2013, when his threeyear tour of duty ends.

The move would allow the Duke, 29, and the Duchess of Cambridge, 30, to start a family in the military, away from the spotlight of official royal life.

Having already served for six years, the choice of an extended career in the forces would break with recent royal tradition.

A senior royal aide said: "The Duke is very keen on his flying, very good at it, and he wants to continue . Should the Duke and Duchess choose to have children within the next few years, he is keen to bring them up as children of a serviceman for as long as possible.

"He is in no hurry to take up a more prominent role within the Royal Family, and there is absolutely no pressure from the Queen or anywhere within the Royal household for him to do so."

The Duke's decision to postpone his entry into fulltime royal service could disappoint many who had been looking forward to seeing more of him and his wife in public.

Some courtiers were understood to want to build on the popularity from last year's royal wedding and Diamond Jubilee celebrations this year. But the Duke is known to be sensitive about encroaching on the role of his father, Prince Charles, as heir to the throne.