Resignation from Short Service Commission

On 19/06/2015, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, formally resigned his Short Service Commission in the British Army, bringing to an end 10 years of full-time military service. Known within the Armed Forces as Captain Harry Wales, he completed his service after reaching what he described as a “crossroads” in his career. Prince Harry joined the Army in 2005 after training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He served with the Blues and Royals regiment and later qualified as an Apache helicopter pilot with the Army Air Corps. Over the course of his career, he undertook two operational tours in Afghanistan, first between 2007 and 2008 and later from 2012 to 2013. His resignation marked the conclusion of active duty, though he continued to maintain connections with the military community through charitable and public initiatives. These included the Invictus Games, which he founded in 2014 to support the rehabilitation of wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans through sport. The decision to leave the Army followed a period in which Prince Harry had transitioned into roles focused on personnel recovery and support within the London District. His departure closed a chapter of direct military service while allowing him to expand his involvement in veteran-focused work outside the Armed Forces. Why This Moment Matters: The resignation marked the end of Prince Harry’s operational military career while maintaining his continued involvement in veteran support initiatives beyond active service.