Prince Harry will leave Army in June, palace confirms

Prince Harry is set to leave the Army in June Credit: PA

Prince Harry is quitting the Army after 10 years of full-time military service, Kensington Palace has confirmed.

A statement from the palace reveals Harry will leave the Armed Forces in June to take on a series of voluntary positions, including conservation work in Africa and working with case officers in London helping provide physical and mental care to injured service men and women in the city.

The Prince's plans were first revealed in reports last month, but officials refused to comment until now.

Read: Prince Harry 'set to leave armed forces this year'

Before leaving service, Harry will spend four weeks on an attachment with the Australian Defence Force, as well as accompanying his father, the Prince of Wales, at the Gallipoli commemorations in Turkey at the end of April.

At the end of his secondment in May, he will then embark on an official royal tour to New Zealand.

The prince will spend four weeks on secondment in Australia before ending operational duties in June Credit: PA
Harry said the decision had been 'really tough' Credit: PA

In a statement, the Prince said the decision to leave the Armed Forces had been "really tough", and said he would "always be hugely grateful" for the experiences he had had.

He also vowed to continue his involvement in the Invictus Games - an international sports event for wounded and sick servicemen and women, spearheaded and supported by the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

Harry insisted on receiving no special treatment because of his royal status Credit: PA
Harry was praised for his 'skill, judgement and professionalism' Credit: PA

Nicknamed Captain Harry Wales by his comrades, the prince started his military career as an Officer Cadet at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in May 2005 and was commissioned as an Army Officer in April the following year.

Since then, he has undertaken two operational tours of duty in Afghanistan, and qualified as an Apache Aircraft Commander.

Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Nicholas Carter, paid tribute to his time with the Armed Forces, praising him for his "skill, judgement and professionalism".