Prince Harry Ends Army Career After A Decade

Prince Harry has left the Army - after more than a decade of full-time military service including two tours in Afghanistan.

He will now spend the next three months volunteering for front-line conservation projects in Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Botswana, Kensington Palace has confirmed.

It is understood that he will leave for the continent next week.

During his career, the royal qualified as an Apache Aircraft Commander and most recently undertook an attachment with the Australian Defence Force.

A statement from the palace said: "After more than a decade of full-time military service Prince Harry has today ended his career with the Army.

"The prince has had a fulfilling military career and considers it a huge honour to have served his country in the Armed Forces."

Sir Nicholas Carter, Chief of the General Staff, said that the prince had "achieved much in his 10 years as a soldier and has been at the forefront throughout his service".

Previously, Harry confessed his decision to leave, which was announced in February, was tough but added that his experiences would stay with him for the rest of his life.

"I dread to think where I'd be without the Army," he said.

The decision came as a surprise to many as he had dreamt of being a career soldier even as a young boy.

He said: "I did it because since I was a kid I enjoyed wearing the combats, I enjoyed running around with a rifle, jumping in a ditch and living in the rain, and stuff.

"But then when I grew up, it became more than that, it became an opportunity for me to escape the limelight.

"I've had an epic 10 years, I've had great fun. The Army keep giving me great jobs, and I can never thank them enough for that."

The prince's work in Africa will involve him being fully embedded with conservationists in what Kensington Palace called the "sharp end of wildlife protection".

His role will involve joining a team of rangers who are the first to respond to reports of poaching attacks on elephants and rhinos.

Harry has already admitted he feels more himself in Africa than anywhere else whether it is helping aids orphans or witnessing land mine clearance projects.

Last month, he said: "I feel more myself in Africa... I've been wanting to do it for the past five years, and being in the Army I just never, ever had the opportunity to do it.

"With my interests in conservation which I've had all the way through, and for William's as well, it's nice for me to be able to actually get the opportunity to work with people on the ground where the truth is."

Harry, who was know in the Army as Captain Wales, was away on leave for his last day in the forces but will return to hold a formal farewell meeting with his commanding officer later in the year.