Friday brought a series of life changes for two members of the British royal family. Kensington Palace announced early Friday that Prince Harry has ended his role as a helicopter pilot for the Army Air Corps, after completing his three-year attachment. The 29-year-old prince will take on a staff officer position in the army’s London district headquarters.
During his career, Harry—known in the army as Captain Wales—was deployed to Afghanistan twice. The Palace announcement went on to note that Harry will continue to carry the rank of captain, though his new position will have him coordinating major projects and commemorative events involving the army in London.
“Captain Wales has reached the pinnacle of flying excellence as an Apache pilot, particularly in Afghanistan,” Lieutenant Colonel Tom de la Rue, who commanded Harry, said in a statement. “In the process, [he] has proved to be a real inspiration to the many Army Air Corps officers and soldiers who have come to know him so well over the last two years.”
In other royal news, Harry’s cousin Zara Phillips gave birth to a baby girl, also on Friday, at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. The baby is Phillips’ first child with her husband Mike Tindall.
[ITV]