Growing Up
Growing Up
Prince Harry turned 18 on 15th September 2002. To mark the occasion, he gave an interview, and a series of pictures by photographer Mario Testino were released.
Her Majesty The Queen also gave the Prince his own Coat of Arms.
As he turned 18, Prince Harry undertook his first solo royal engagements. The Prince visited the football ground of West Ham United to meet young offenders involved in an education project, Great Ormond Street Hospital which was a favourite charity of his mother's, and joined lessons at the Osmani School in Whitechapel, London.
In June 2004, Prince Harry and his brother Prince William attended the funeral of their maternal grandmother, Mrs Frances Shand Kydd, in Oban, Scotland. Later, Prince Harry and his brother Prince William joined members of the Spencer family at a private burial at a cemetery on the edge of the town.
Prince Harry, Prince William and their father The Prince of Wales accompanied The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh to the opening of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park, London on 6th July 2004.
On 10th February 2005, Clarence House announced the marriage of The Prince of Wales and Mrs Camilla Parker Bowles. Prince William and Prince Harry released a joint statement that said: “We are both very happy for our father and Camilla, and we wish them all the luck in the future.”
On 9th April 2005, The Prince of Wales and Mrs Parker Bowles were married in a civil ceremony at the Guildhall in Windsor.
Prince Harry attended the ceremony along with other members of the Royal Family, and members of Mrs Parker Bowles’ family. The ceremony was followed by a Service of Prayer and Dedication at St George’s Chapel and a reception at Windsor Castle.
During this time, Harry passed the Regular Commissions Board to gain entry into Sandhurst, and started the 44-week training course there in May 2005.
On 10th July 2005, Prince Harry accompanied The Queen and other members of the Royal Family to the National Commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
Prince Harry turned 21 on 15th September 2005. He spent his birthday continuing his army training in Wales. To mark his 21st birthday, Her Majesty The Queen made Prince Harry a Counsellor of State.
In April 2006 Prince Harry was commissioned as an army officer.
On 21st April 2006, Prince Harry visited Glasgow with his father, The Prince of Wales, to see Prince's Trust projects in action.
In the evening of 21st April, Prince Harry joined other members of the Royal Family at a dinner to celebrate The Queen's 80th birthday, hosted by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall at Kew Palace.
On 28th April 2006, with his friend, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, Prince Harry launched Sentebale, their own charity to help children in the Southern African country of Lesotho, many of whom have been orphaned by Aids.
In the week beginning 8th May, as a Cornet in the Blues and Royals, Prince Harry joined the Household Cavalry Regiment, beginning his life as an officer in the British Army.
On 20th May 2006, Prince Harry and Prince William accompanied The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to The Prince's Trust's 30th Birthday Party at the Tower of London. To mark the occasion The Prince of Wales, Prince William and Prince Harry were interviewed by television presenters Ant and Dec - the first time they have been interviewed together.
On 14th July 2006, Prince William and Prince Harry made a joint statement after an Italian magazine published pictures relating to the death of their mother Diana, Princess of Wales. Click here to read the statement.
On 7th April 2008, Prince William and Prince Harry made a joint statement about the inquest into the death of their mother and Dodi Al Fayed. Click here to read the statement.
On 13th April 2008, Prince Harry was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.