PRINCE William has penned a heartwarming letter thanking his colleagues at the East Anglian Air Ambulance as he clocks off on his final shift.

The Duke of Cambridge left his role as a pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance yesterday after two years.

As he departed to begin full time Royal duties, he sent a letter telling of his pride at doing the job.

Prince William said his two years in the role had exposed him to “moments of extreme emotion” and he promised to continue to support emergency services staff after his time with the charity is up. He announced he would be leaving the role in January this year.

The letter read: “I have met people from across the region who were in the most desperate of circumstances.

“As part of the team, I have been invited into people’s homes to share moments of extreme emotion, from relief we have given someone a fighting chance, to profound grief.

“I have watched as incredibly skilled doctors and paramedics have saved people’s lives.

Prince William joined East Anglian Air Ambulance in March 2015 and after completing his final training flew his first operational missions in July 2015.

He has been based out of Cambridge Airport, responding to call outs across the east of England.