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News

Prince Harry enters the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

7th May 2005

Prince Harry began his new life in the Army as he joined elite military academy Sandhurst ready to embark on its tough training regime.

The 20-year-old bid farewell to his father, The Prince of Wales, after enrolling at the historic college.

For the first five weeks Officer Cadet Wales will face a gruelling routine, rising at dawn and being forbidden from leaving the site in Camberley, Surrey.

Harry pledged to do the best he could as he started his experiences as a career soldier.

He said: “I am really excited. I want to get on with it and do the best job I can do.”

In a smart dark grey suit and bright blue tie, Harry met Commandant Major General Andrew Ritchie on the steps of the grand old college building as he arrived.

He was also introduced to tough talking Sergeant Major Vince Gaunt who is responsible for the new cadets.

Recruits were seen trudging to their quarters carrying their kit on their backs and brand new ironing boards under their arms.

The Prince was one of 261 recruits joining Sandhurst for the 44-week officer training corp.

Out of the three companies at the academy, Harry is joining Alamein and will belong to one of its three platoons of 30 men. There will be no women in Harry‘s section, with the 32 female cadets joining at the same time being trained in a separate platoon.

After enrolling and picking up the keys to his modest room, Harry emerged from the old college building wearing a new red name badge with just the word "Wales" printed in white capital letters.

Standing with The Prince of Wales, he chatted with Army officials and shook the hand of Mr Lowther Pinkerton, he and Prince William's new private secretary, before seeing his father to his car.

The Prince of Wales gave his son a playful punch to the arm before driving off to leave him to start his life as a career soldier.

Harry spent his first night unpacking his kit and meeting the other members of his platoon, before having dinner and taking part in marching drill.

There will be no easing the cadets into their new routine. Harry, like the others, will be up at 6am on his first morning and face a parade on the drill square in the early hours.

For those who fail to rise at the required time, the punishments will include extra marching.

Major General Ritchie said: "It‘s up to them to get up. They will be told what time to be on parade."

Asked whether Harry had what it takes to become an officer, he said: "Of course he has. Every cadet has passed the selection process. Every one has got it in them."

Harry, who had set his heart on joining the Army, is fulfilling a long-held dream.

The commandant added of Harry: "He did very well on his selection course. He‘s a physically fit young man who‘s determined to be an Army officer."