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Britain's Prince Harry to Join the Army


LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Prince Harry will join an officer training course next year after passing the army's entrance tests, his father's office said on Friday.

The 20-year-old prince, third in line to the throne, will be trained as an officer cadet at the prestigious Sandhurst military academy after successfully passing a four-day Regular Commissions Board (RCB) assessment.

'I am delighted that I have passed my RCB and that I can now go to Sandhurst,' he said in a statement released by Clarence House, his father Prince Charles's office.

'The last four days have been very challenging, both mentally and physically, but it's also been an enjoyable experience.

'I have set my sights on joining the army and I am really looking forward to going to Sandhurst next year.'

The RCB required the prince to pass a number of interviews and physical tests including completing 50 sit-ups in two minutes.

The average pass rate is about 60 percent.

The Sandhurst training course lasts 44 weeks, after which Harry would be eligible for active service.

The prince, the second of Charles's two sons from his marriage to the late Princess Diana, decided to join the army last year after returning modest exam results which fell short of the requirements of top British universities.

Harry continues the royal family's long tradition of military service.

Queen Elizabeth is head of the three armed services, and her husband Prince Philip enjoyed a long career in the Royal Navy.

Prince Charles trained as a pilot with the Royal Air Force before going on to join the navy, where he commanded a minesweeper before leaving the service in 1976.

Harry's uncle Prince Andrew saw active service as a helicopter pilot during the 1982 Falklands War with Argentina.

His other uncle, Prince Edward, spent three years in the Royal Marines before dropping out in mid-training to become a television executive.

09/24/04 11:48
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