THE Duke of York admitted yesterday that he faced a steep learning curve as he retired from a 22-year career in the Royal Navy to prepare for a new and unpaid role as a British trade ambassador.
The curve may be steeper than he realises, however, as he exchanges the regulated rulebook of Service life for the devious double-dealing of flogging Jaguars and Johnnie Walker to flighty foreigners.
He admitted as much in a farewell speech to 600 officers and men on board HMS Ark Royal, engaged in sea trials off Newcastle upon Tyne.
Helmeted and uniformed for the last time, the Duke, 41, arrived on Ark Royal’s flight deck at the controls of a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter, a reminder of his flying role on active service during the Falklands conflict. Admitting that he had thoroughly enjoyed his naval career, the Duke, who was promoted to the rank of Commander in 1999, said to Ark Royal’s company: “I now move on to other things and I need you to take over the reins and to run forward over the next few years and to take this ship on to new and greater things.” The Duke never served in Ark Royal.
He went on: “The time has come to move on and take on new challenges. This new role will be extremely challenging based on the fact that I have a lot to learn and I am fascinated by what it is that has to be done. I am looking forward to learning about international business, where we fit into the world’s economy and to see how I can contribute.”
Admiral Sir Nigel Essenhigh, the First Sea Lord, said that the Navy had “very much enjoyed” having the Duke with them during a distinguished career.
His new masters at British Trade International, the joint FCO-DTI agency which promotes exports and inward investment, will be hoping that their new ambassador curbs his fondness for being seen on yachts in Thailand with topless women — and perhaps brushes up his presentational and speechmaking skills.