MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Farewell to Arms for Prince Andrew.

Nineteen years after he fought as a helicopter pilot in the Falklands War, the Duke of York, has bade farewell to the Royal Navy in which he served for 22 years

Prince Andrew, aged 41, has now taken on a new, unpaid role as a trade ambassador for the United Kingdom with British Trade International run jointly by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Trade and Industry Ministry.

On his final day in the Royal Navy he was guest of honour at a lunch at sea on board the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal, a sister ship of HMS Invincible from which he flew his helicopter during the 1982 Falklands Conflict.

He landed on the Ark Royal's flight deck at the controls of a Sea King helicopter, an aircraft he flew in 1982 and for much of his naval career. He was only 22, with three years' service in the Navy, when he sailed south with the Task Force to liberate the Falklands. During the conflict, he flew a range of missions including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, casualty evacuation, transport, and search and rescue.

After the Argentine surrender, he was a familiar figure in the Falklands spending some of his time on rest and recreation in farmhouses with the Islanders. He returned a few years later to open the newly built Mount Pleasant military air base. He has since paid an official visit to Argentina. There is speculation he may be an honoured guest at the Falklands' twentieth anniversary celebrations next year. Hundreds of former members of the Task Force in the South Atlantic Medal Association plan to fly there for a reunion.

In his farewell speech to 600 fellow officers on board Ark Royal in the North Sea, Prince Andrew said: "The time has come to move on and take on new challenges. This new role will be extremely challenging . ..I am looking forward to learning about international business, where we fit into the world's economy and to see how I can contribute".

The professional head of the Royal Navy, Admiral Sir Nigel Essenhigh, First Sea Lord, said that the Navy has always been grateful for the involvement of the Royal Family in the Naval Service.

"We have very much enjoyed having the Duke of York with us", the Admiral declared. "He has had a distinguished career in the Navy, having seen active service in the Falklands and worked in a wide variety of appointments at sea and ashore. He has made a huge contribution to our Service and