Prince Harry struggled to contain his delight as leading members of the Royal Family turned out to see him graduate from Sandhurst Military Academy on Wednesday. The 21-year-old's face went bright red and a broad grin spread across his face as the Queen, who was inspecting all the new officers passing out from the institution, stopped in front of her grandson and said: "Now here's a face I recognise!".
It was a proud day for the young royal, and the rest of the Windsor clan, as the ceremony marked the end of 44 weeks of gruelling challenges. His father, Prince Charles, was also on hand to show his support, along with the Duchess of Cornwall, and Harry's grandfather Prince Philip. Older brother Prince William, who is also training at Sandhurst, meanwhile took his place among the other cadets standing to attention in navy blue uniforms and white gloves.
According to Army tradition Wills is now obliged to salute his younger brother until he himself graduates next December. Family friends say there has been much light-hearted ribbing between the pair, but on Wednesday the third in line was more concerned with thanking his loved ones for going along to the event.
He seemed especially pleased to find his former nanny Tiggy Legge Bourke among those in attendance. No sooner had the military college's historic Sovereign's Parade come to an end than he removed his cap and embraced his childhood carer warmly.
Later in the evening Harry, who now goes by the title Second Lieutenant Wales, was joined by South African girlfriend Chelsy Davy for the graduation ball. And on the stroke of midnight he and 218 other recruits tore away tape covering the "pips" representing their new officer status on their shoulders.
The fun-loving royal is now expected to take a break with his partner on an island off the coast of Mozambique, before beginning the next phase of his military training. Upon his return to the UK he will face a whole new set of challenges as he learns the ropes in the famed Blues and Royals regiment.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
