Prince Harry coming to Australia for four-week secondment with Defence Force

PRINCE Harry will end his military career with a four-week secondment to the Australian Defence Force next month as he reaches a “crossroads” in his life.

PRINCE Harry is to end his military career with a four-week secondment to the Australian Defence Force in barracks in Sydney, Perth and Darwin, as he reaches a “cross roads” in his professional life.

Speaking for the first time about his decision to quit the British armed forces, the fourth in line to the throne described in detail the “tough decision” to leave but the importance of opening a “new chapter” in his life.

As widely reported last month but refuted by Kensington Palace, Prince Harry will join the ADF in April and May in Army barracks in Darwin, Perth and Sydney carrying out unit-based activities, training exercises and domestic deployments.

Coming to Australia ... Prince Harry’s military will end with a four-week secondment to the ADF.

The secondment will include joining his father Prince Charles at the Gallipoli centenary commemorations on the Turkish peninsula on April 24 and 25.

He will then undertake an official royal tour of New Zealand but as a civilian.

Harry specifically chose to see out his career with the ADF “to gain an appreciation of the Australian Army’s domestic operating environment and capabilities”. He did not elaborate on why he wanted to gain that appreciation or whether he planned to have some form of ongoing civilian involvement with Australia military but has flagged a specific interest in how the ADF supports the wounded and sick service personnel.

During his 10-year full time military career, Harry went on two tours of duty to Afghanistan and qualified as an Apache Aircraft Commander and said he would leave the armed forces with great memories and friends for life.

All grown up ... Harry during his time as a Lieutenant in the British army. (Pic: AAP)

Early interest ... A young Harry plays at the family home, Highgrove, dressed in a Parachute Regiment uniform. (Photo by Tim Graham/Getty Images)

“After a decade of service, moving on from the Army has been a really tough decision,” the 30-year-old said in a statement issued by Kensington Palace this morning Australia time.

“I consider myself incredibly lucky to have had the chance to do some very challenging jobs and have met many fantastic people in the process.

“From learning the hard way to stay onside with my Colour Sergeant at Sandhurst, to the incredible people I served with during two tours in Afghanistan — the experiences I have had over the last 10 years will stay with me for the rest of my life. For that I will always be hugely grateful.”

He said he was not sure what he would do after June when he is formally discharged but the palace said he would continue to support his grandmother the Queen in royal duties.

He would also be travelling to Africa to carry out volunteer work in the sub-Saharan desert and work with conservation programs before volunteering with the British Ministry of Defence’s Recovery Capability Programme supporting the rehabilitation of wounded, injured or sick service personnel.

Ready for action ... Prince Harry, or Captain Wales, as he is known on the battlefield, pictured in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/ John Stillwell, Pool)

“Inevitably most good things come to an end and I am at a crossroads in my military career,” he said. “Luckily for me, I will continue to wear the uniform and mix with fellow servicemen and women for the rest of my life, helping where I can, and making sure the next few Invictus Games are as amazing as the last.

“I am considering the options for the future and I am really excited about the possibilities. Spending time with the Australian Defence Force will be incredible and I know I will learn a lot. I am also looking forward to coming back to London this summer to continue working at the Personal Recovery Unit.

“So while I am finishing one part of my life, I am getting straight into a new chapter. I am really looking forward to it.”

Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin said Harry was a welcome addition to the Aussie forces.

“I know our Diggers will welcome Captain Wales into the ranks when he arrives in Australia next month,” he said.

On patrol ... Harry in the town of Garmisir in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, in 2008.

“We have prepared a challenging program that will see Captain Wales deploy on urban and field training exercises, domestic deployments, as well as participate in indigenous engagement activities.”

Harry has visited Australia twice, once in 2003 in his gap year where he worked as a jackaroo in outback Queensland and in 2013 where in Sydney he attended the International Fleet Review as a guest of the Royal Australian Navy.

General Sir Nicholas Carter, Chief of the General Staff — the professional head of the British Army — paid tribute to the Prince.

“Captain Harry Wales, as he is known affectionately in the Army, has achieved much in his ten years as a soldier,” he said.

“He has been at the forefront throughout his service. He has insisted on being treated the same as his peers.”

Originally published as Prince Harry coming to Australia for four-week secondment with Defence Force