As the royal wedding date comes closer, the world is even more intrigued to know about Prince Harry.
Prince Henry of Wales KCVO, was born on the 15th of September 1984. A member of the British royal family, he is the younger son of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Diana, Princess of Wales, and is sixth in the line of succession to the British throne.
Largely regarded as a person with a mind of his own, Prince Harry has carved a niche for himself amongst the better known royal luminaries.
Education –
Like his father and brother, Harry was educated at independent schools in the UK. Later, he was admitted to Eton College to complete his education.
At college, he excelled in sports, particularly polo and rugby. After school, Harry took a gap year, spending time in Australia and working in a cattle station. He also travelled to Lesotho, where he worked with orphaned children and produced the documentary film The Forgotten Kingdom.
He chose a military career after this and underwent officer training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. He was commissioned as a cornet (i.e. second lieutenant) into the Blues and Royals, serving temporarily with his brother, Prince William. He later completed his training as a troop leader.
Charity work & other activities
At the age of 21, Harry was appointed a Counsellor by his grandmother. Along with his brother, he also organised a Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium in 2007 which was hugely received by the people of England.
Harry has always been a sportsman and it is through sports that he has helped charities and other organisations. He has undergone training as a Rugby Development Officer for the Rugby Football Union and is actively involved with coaching students in schools to encourage them to learn the sport. Like his brother and father, he has participated in polo matches to raise money for charitable causes.
On 12 August 2012, Harry represented the Queen at the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Recently, in 2018, Harry became a patron of Walk of America, a campaign which brings together a number of veterans to start a 1,000-mile expedition across the US.
In April 2018, the Prince was appointed the president of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, which focuses on projects involving children and welfare of prisoners.
Sporting interests –
Termed a rebel early on in his life, Harry has always been the favourite for the tabloids. Polls conducted in the United Kingdom have consistently shown Harry to be the third-most popular member of the royal family, after William and the Queen.
In a 2017 interview, the prince acknowledged that he sought counselling after two years of total chaos post his mother’s death.
As hobbies, he enjoys playing many sports including playing competitive polo, skiing and motocross. He is a supporter of the Arsenal Football Club and a keen Rugby Union fan.
Personal life –
Prince Harry has had two rumoured alliances earlier. One with Zimbabwean Chelsy Davy and the other with Cressida Bonas, granddaughter of Edward Curzon. Both, however, ended on amicable grounds.
It was only when news about his engagement with American actress Meghan Markle was officially announced by Kensington Palace, that all rumours were laid to rest.
The wedding is planned for May 19th 2018, at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. The couple plan to live together at Nottingham Cottage in London, on the grounds of Kensington Palace,post the wedding.