Prince Harry Australia: Captain Wales Ready For ‘Challenging’ Training
Prince Harry is in Australia to begin his training with the island nation’s military. Captain Wales, as the royal is called by his peers, is in for a “challenging” four weeks of boot camp.
The 30-year-old son of Prince Charles and Princess Diana and fourth in line (for now) to the British throne will begin a new phase in his military career. During his stay in Australia, Prince Harry will spend time with troops in Sydney, Darwin, and Perth, according to Sky News.
Harry is joining the military Down Under as part of an exchange program between the United Kingdom and Australia, one of the Commonwealth member nations. He is expected to train with special forces and also learn about how the wounded veterans are supported in Australia.
Prince Harry has increasingly become active in charities involving wounded service men and women. In March of 2014, he organized the Invictus Games, a paralympic-type event for wounded veterans.
Hundreds of admirers came out to welcome Prince Harry to Australia. The brother of Prince William was wearing his army fatigues as he greeted well-wishers who braved the steady rain on Monday.
As has become usual, Prince Harry appeared to be having a great time while greeting his subjects, who were enthusiastic and took lots of pictures with the royal despite the bad weather. Prior to meeting the crowds that came to welcome him to Australia, Harry laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Canberra and placed a poppy at the Roll of Honor.
Additionally, Prince Harry’s Australia welcome included a tour of the First World War and Afghanistan Galleries at the Australian War Memorial. Following his visit with the crowd, Harry reported for duty to the Chief of the Defense Force.
His grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, expressed how pleased she was with Prince Harry training in Australia in a message released by the Palace.
“I am delighted that the long and enduring association between the Australian and British armies will be joined by the military secondment of my grandson, Prince Harry.
“I know that Captain Wales will benefit greatly from spending time with the Australian Diggers and I thank you for welcoming him into your ranks. Elizabeth R.”
Prince Harry’s military career spans 10 years, during which he completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan and qualified as an Apache Aircraft Commander. In Australia, Harry will work on helicopter simulators, train with the Special Air Service, and work with members of the indigenous unit that patrols the northern part of the country.
[Photo by Getty Images]
