Prince Harry's birthday: 30 facts for 30 years

Prince Harry spent the last night of his 20s at the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games. Credit: REUTERS/Toby Melville

The fourth in line to the throne turns 30 today and he has packed a lot into three decades:

  • His full name is Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales.

  • He was born at the private Lindo wing of St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, central London, in the same room where older brother Prince William was born two years earlier.

  • The Prince of Wales told crowds outside that his second son had ''pale blue eyes'' and hair of ''a sort of indeterminate colour''.

  • As a youngster, Harry was only called ''Henry'' when he had been ''very, very naughty'', Charles once revealed.

Prince Harry giving a royal welcome to waiting photographers. Credit: PA

  • Harry has produced his fair share of ''naughtiness'' over the years. He brawled with a paparazzi photographer, dabbled with cannabis, sparked worldwide outrage by dressing up as a Nazi and stripped off in Las Vegas during a racy game of billiards.

  • At his father's 50th birthday party, a 14-year-old Harry also reportedly stripped naked and ran around in front of guests.

Harry joined his brother, his father, grandfather (far left) and his uncle, Earl Spencer (centre) at the funeral of Princess Diana. Credit: PA

  • He was only 12 when his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, was killed in a Paris car crash in 1997.

  • When he was 21, the Prince set up his Sentebale charity in memory of his mother to help Aids orphans in Lesotho, southern Africa.

Prince Harry has always enjoyed a close relationship with his older brother. Credit: REUTERS/Toby Melville

  • As teenagers, Harry and William used to hold parties at "Club H" - their private den complete with sound system and bar - in the cellar of Charles's country home Highgrove.

  • Harry's nickname is "Spike" - used by friends and even his bodyguards. He apparently once had a Facebook page under the pseudonym "Spike Wells".

Prince Harry did not achieve academically at Eton. Credit: PA

  • Harry went to Eton where he achieved a B in Art and a D in Geography in his A Levels.

  • He entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in May 2005 and went on to become a Second Lieutenant in the Household Cavalry (Blues and Royals).

Prince Harry flourished in the army and served two tours of Afghanistan. Credit: PA

Read: Prince Harry 'not prepared for horrendous sights in Afghanistan'

  • Harry, who now holds the rank of Captain, has served in Afghanistan twice - as a Forward Air Controller in 2007/08 and as an Apache Pilot between September 2012 and January 2013. He now has a Staff Officer role in HQ London District and helps co-ordinate commemorative events involving the Army.

  • Harry is also patron of MapAction, which helps aid agencies by providing crucial mapping following natural and humanitarian disasters, patron of WellChild, which supports seriously-ill children and their families, vice patron of the Rugby Football Union and patron of the RFU's Injured Players Foundation.

Lead singer of the Foo Fighters Dave Grohl agreed to play the Invictus Games after receiving a personal phone call from the Prince. Credit: REUTERS/Toby Melville

Read: Invictus Games closes with star-studded gig

  • Harry set up his own foundation with his brother to help the causes they are passionate about. The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry focuses on helping young people; raising awareness and support for the Armed Forces; and championing conservation work.