Early Military career

Prince Harry served in the Army for ten years, rising to the rank of Captain and undertaking two tours of Afghanistan. He continues to work in support of his fellow servicemen, promoting support for wounded men and women as they adapt to life post-injury.

Prince Harry passed his Regular Commissions Board (RCB), the qualification necessary to train at Sandhurst, in September 2004.

The RCB enables senior Army assessors to find those best suited for training. The Board is demanding, and consists of a number of tests and tasks designed to assess mental, physical and emotional aptitude.

After completing a period of work experience, Prince Harry entered The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in May 2005 to begin his training as an Officer Cadet.

During the 44-week training course in Camberley, Surrey, Prince Harry was known as Officer Cadet Wales. The course is highly demanding and involves both theory and tough physical training.

On 25th January 2006, Clarence House announced that Prince Harry was to join the Blues and Royals.

Following the successful completion of the course, Prince Harry was commissioned as an Army officer on Wednesday, 12th April 2006. The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, took the salute at the Sovereign's Parade at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall also attended the Parade to see Prince Harry's Passing Out, as the commissioning is known. Prince William was also there as an officer cadet.

Prince Harry joined his regiment on 8th May 2006, before reporting to The Armour Centre at Bovington in Dorset to begin the Troop Leaders’ Course, his special-to-arm training to become an armoured reconnaissance troop leader. This second phase of his preparatory training included instruction in signals, driving and maintenance, and gunnery.

On completion of the Troop Leaders’ Course in October 2006, Prince Harry rejoined his regiment in Windsor, and was responsible for a troop of 11 soldiers and four Scimitar reconnaissance vehicles.

On 28th February 2008 The Ministry of Defence confirmed that Prince Harry had been serving with the British Army in Helmand, Afghanistan for more than two months.

At the time, Clarence House issued the following statement: "Prince Harry is very proud to serve his country on operations alongside his fellow soldiers and to do the job he has been trained for."



On 13th April 2008, Prince Harry was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant with The Household Cavalry (Blues and Royals).