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Last month, reports circulated that Prince Harry would leave the armed forces later this year. According to Royal Central, Kensington Palace announced today that Harry will indeed leave in order to focus more on his charities, among them Sentebale and Walking With The Wounded. He’ll spend a month of training in Australia in April and May, after which he will step down from his duties.
As a Commissioned Officer in the Household Cavalry, Harry took up a Staff Officer role in 2014 so that he could coordinate projects and events in London. His Royal Highness also took part in a trek to Antarctica to raise funds and awareness for Walking With The Wounded, and launched the hugely successful Invictus Games last September.
Prince Harry, who joined the Blues and Royals in 2006, spent three and a half years in training and operational service with the Apache Force during his attachment to the Army Air Corps, then served as a Forward Air Controller in 2007/08 and as an Apache Pilot between September 2012 and January 2013.
Royal Central reports that Harry will spend part of this summer with conservation experts in Africa, a place both he and Prince William hold very dear to their hearts. The prince is also due to make an official trip to New Zealand.
Harry sent out an official statement on his decision:
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. From learning the hard way to stay onside with my Colour 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. For that I will always be hugely grateful.
Inevitably most good things come to an end and I am at a crossroads in my military career. Luckily for me, I will continue to wear the uniform and mix with fellow servicemen and women for the rest of my life, helping where I can, and making sure the next few Invictus Games are as amazing as the last.
I am considering the options for the future and I am really excited about the possibilities. Spending time with the Australian Defence Force will be incredible and I know I will learn a lot. I am also looking forward to coming back to London this summer to continue working at the Personal Recovery Unit.
So while I am finishing one part of my life, I am getting straight into a new chapter. I am really looking forward to it.
Harry will volunteer with injured servicemen and women in their road to recovery.
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