No more soldier prince: UK's Harry to leave army in June
Updated: 2015-03-17 09:35
(Agencies)
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Britain's Prince Harry salutes as he watches the military parade following the Service of Commemoration for Afghanistan at St Paul's Cathedral in London March 13, 2015. [Photo/Agencies] |
LONDON - It's a soldier's life no more for Britain's Prince Harry.
Royal officials said Tuesday that the 30-year old prince will leave the armed forces in June after 10 years of service that included two tours of duty in Afghanistan.
Harry's final army duties will include a four-week assignment in April and May with the Australian Defence Force. The prince will spend time in Darwin, Perth and Sydney and attend centenary commemorations of the World War I Gallipoli campaign in Turkey.
Harry said that leaving the army had been "a really tough decision" but he was excited about the future.
In a statement, Harry said he felt "incredibly lucky" to have had the chance to serve in the armed forces.
"From learning the hard way to stay onside with my Color Sergeant at Sandhurst, to the incredible people I served with during two tours in Afghanistan - the experiences I have had over the last 10 years will stay with me for the rest of my life," he said. "For that I will always be hugely grateful."
Harry, who is fourth in line to the British throne, graduated from Sandhurst officers' academy in 2006 and joined the Household Cavalry as an armored reconnaissance troop leader. He served in Afghanistan as a battlefield air controller for 10 weeks in 2007-2008 until a media leak cut his tour short.
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