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Prince Harry quits Army pilot job for new Olympic role

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Press Trust of India London
Prince Harry has quit his Army job as an Apache helicopter pilot to take on a new ambitious project at the Olympic stadium here.

The 29-year-old British royal is expected to run the so-called 'Warrior Games' from his new office in Buckingham Palace and is understood to have the blessing of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II and his grandfather Prince Philip.

The Paralympic-style games have yet to be cleared by Downing Street but Harry hopes his profile will help expand the international Olympic-style competition for wounded servicemen and women from the UK, the Commonwealth and America, the 'Evening Standard' reported.
 

The newspaper claimed the prince's bid to spearhead the Warrior Games in the UK was "under consideration".

"Prince Harry has completed his attachment to 3 Regiment Army Air Corps and will now take up a Staff Officer role in HQ London District," a Kensington Palace spokesperson said.

"The Prince will take the position of SO3 (defence engagement). His responsibilities will include helping to coordinate significant projects and commemorative events involving the Army in London. Prince Harry will retain the rank of Captain and be based from Horse Guards, in central London," he added.

This comes only four months after his brother Prince William, 31, announced he was quitting the military for good to become a full-time royal.

The fourth in line to the throne spent three and a half years in training and operational service with the Apache Force during his attachment to the Army Air Corps and has twice served on the frontline in Afghanistan as an Army Air Corps Apache helicopter pilot.

Captain Harry Wales, as he is known in the military, arrived in Camp Bastion in September 2012 as part of 662 Squadron, 3 Regiment, Army Air Corps.

He had attended the last Warrior Games in Aspen, Colorado, when he visited the US in May last year. He also took part in a torch-lighting ceremony at the opening of the games on the third day of his US tour.

Almost 300 injured servicemen and women from the UK and US competed in last year's games.

The prince's focus on bringing the Warrior Games to Britain will take up a huge amount of his time and came amid rumours that Harry's relationship with girlfriend Cressida Bonas has cooled.

There is speculation that being back in London may help their relationship bonding.

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First Published: Jan 17 2014 | 9:40 PM IST

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