Prince Harry has confirmed he is to leave the armed forces after 10 years, saying he is at “a crossroads” in his military career.
The 30-year-old Apache pilot, who has undertaken two operational tours of Afghanistan, will first spend four weeks seconded to the Australian Defence Force and then undertake a tour of New Zealand before completing his operational services in June, Kensington Palace said.
Thereafter, he intends to focus on voluntary conservation work in sub-Saharan Africa, before returning in the autumn to work in a voluntary capacity with the MoD’s Recovery Capability programme, which supports sick and injured service personnel. He will also continue to champion the Invictus Games he set up for wounded and injured servicemen and women.
He said in a statement his military experience “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 serviceman 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.”
He added that while he was “finishing one part of my life, I am getting straight into a new chapter. I am really looking forward to it”.
