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Home  » News » It's official: Prince Harry ends army career after a decade

It's official: Prince Harry ends army career after a decade

By Aditi Khanna
June 19, 2015 21:31 IST
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Britain's Prince Harry officially left the army on Friday after more than a decade of full-time military service, including two stints in war-torn Afghanistan.

The fifth in line to Britain's throne, who had announced the decision to quit earlier this year, will now spend the next three months volunteering for front-line conservation projects in Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Botswana, Kensington Palace confirmed in a statement.

During his army career, the 30-year-old royal qualified as an Apache Aircraft Commander and most recently undertook an attachment with the Australian Defence Force.

"The prince has had a fulfilling military career and considers it a huge honour to have served his country in the armed forces, during which time he has undertaken two operational tours of duty in Afghanistan, qualified as an Apache Aircraft Commander, spearheaded the Invictus Games and -- most recently -- undertaken an attachment with the Australian Defence Force," the palace statement said.

When his decision to leave the army was announced, Gen Sir Nicholas Carter, Chief of the General Staff, said that Prince Harry had "achieved much in his 10 years as a soldier."

"He has been at the forefront throughout his service," he had said.

Prince Harry has said that work in the service of military personnel throughout the Commonwealth will be a permanent feature of his royal and charitable duties for the rest of his life.

This autumn he will return to work as a volunteer with the Personnel Recovery Unit of London District, where he will assist soldiers with their rehabilitation after being wounded or injured in service.

In his statement on announcing the decision to leave the military back in March, Prince Harry said, "After a decade of service, moving on from the Army has been a really tough decision. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have had the chance to do some very challenging jobs and have met many fantastic people in the process."

There has been recent speculation around his personal life as well after the 'US Weekly' claimed that he may be more than just friends with actress Jenna Coleman.

Harry had recently expressed a wish to find a partner and settle down like his older brother Prince William.

Image: Britain's Prince Harry waves as he leaves Linton Military Camp near Palmerston North. Photograph: Anthony Phelps/Reuters

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Aditi Khanna in London
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