The fourth in line to the throne will spend the summer working alongside conservation groups in Africa, after which he will undertake voluntary work with injured servicemen while 'actively² considering other longer term employment opportunities'.

 

In a statement Harry, 30, who has served in the military for ten years and seen two tours of duty in Afghanistan, admitted that it had been a 'tough decision' to leave the job he loved.

 

But sources close to the prince said he had reached a 'natural crossroads' in his career and, after much soul-searching, had decided³ he had no desire to 'progress through the ranks'.

 

A Kensington Palace spokesman said: 'Prince Harry is to leave the Armed Forces in June after ten years of full-time⁴ military service.

 

'The Prince has had a fulfilling military career and considers it a huge honour to have served his country in the Armed Forces, during which time he has undertaken two operational tours of duty in Afghanistan, qualified⁵ as an Apache Aircraft Commander and spearheaded the Invictus Games.'

 

Some senior royal commentators⁶ have already questioned the wisdom of Harry leaving the forces – which have given the once wayward prince so much direction in his life – at the age of just 30.

 

Many believe Prince Andrew's decision to leave the Royal Navy in 2001 - where he had enjoyed a distinguished⁷ career, including a spell in the Falklands - signalled the beginning of the many problems that have dogged him in recent years.

 

Prince William also suffered criticism after deciding to take a career break in 2013 after quitting his job as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot.

 

The so-called 'transitional' year saw him undertake a ten-week agricultural management course at Cambridge University, as part of a programme of 'public service'.

 

Critics, however, dismissed it as a second 'gap year' -and there are fears that his younger brother could be seen as doing the same.

 

But Harry said today that he was 'really excited' about his future, adding: 'So while I am finishing off one part of my life, I am getting straight into a new chapter. I am really looking forward to it. '

 

The prince is currently single after splitting from his girlfriend of two years, Cressida Bonas, last spring.

点击收听单词发音