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Prince Harry

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Born Prince Henry Charles Albert David on September 15, 1984, at St Mary's Hospital in West London, he soon came to be known as Harry, and was later dubbed "the Happy Prince". As a flame-haired toddler he attended Mrs Jane Mynors' nursery school – as had his elder brother Prince William. And by the time he arrived at Ludgrove School in 1992, the cheeky little boy had already built up a reputation as an athlete and rider.

His mother, Princess Diana, was determined her sons should enjoy a "normal" lifestyle, and the three were frequently spotted at amusement parks, popping into McDonalds, and going to the cinema. Tragically, at the tender age of 12, Harry found himself deprived of a mother who had lived her life around her sons; like his brother William, he showed great bravery in the face of devastating loss.

In the months immediately following his mother's death, Harry shied away from public life, but in October 1997 he accompanied his father on an eight-day tour of South Africa. Father and son attended a charity concert given by the Spice Girls and Harry met Nelson Mandela, the then president of South Africa.

In September 1998, a year after their mother's death, the Princes jointly issued a statement asking both press and public to let Diana rest in peace, and to allow them to carry on with their lives away from the glare of public scrutiny.

Harry, although thought to be not as academically gifted as his brother William, earned a place at Eton in 1998 and became instantly popular with his fellow students. He soon settled into the school's routine, finding a variety of outlets for his academic, sporting and creative talents. A keen sportsman who loves abseiling, football and skiing, he has a reputation for being "one of the lads", unlike his more serious brother, to whom he is very close.

Following his graduation from Eton, the teenager embarked upon a gap year, some of which was spent as a ranch hand on an Australian cattle station. This was then extended for a further 12 months. During his time away he also visited Argentina and Africa where he made a documentary about the plight of orphans in Lesotho. Showing the same compassionate streak as his mother, he has since founded his own charity, Sentebale, with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to help orphaned children and vulnerable young people in the Southern African country.

Harry hasn't always attracted the best headlines, however, despite his charitable work. The young prince came in for heavy criticism in early 2005 when he attended a friend's fancy dress party wearing a Nazi uniform complete with swastika armband a few days before Holocaust memorial day. The 20-year-old's photo was splashed across national newspapers and former royal press secretary Dicky Arbiter declared that "Prince Charles has been let down by his wayward son." Clarence House issued an immediate apology for any offence caused. It wasn't the first time the tabloids had had a field day with his behaviour. The previous year he was involved in a scuffle with a photographer outside a London nightclub.

In May 2005 Harry began his training as an officer cadet at the prestigious military academy Sandhurst. Known as Cadet officer Wales he successfully completed the often gruelling 44-week training course and was finally commissioned as an Army officer in April 2006 in front of the Queen.

After completing a course in Dorset to become an armoured reconnaissance leader he joined the Blues and Royals regiment in Windsor, which together with the Life Guards forms the Household Cavalry, where he holds the title of Second Lieutenant or Cornet. Unlike his Sandhurst-trained brother William, who as second-in-line to the throne is not expected to be sent to war zones, Harry will be able to be a career soldier and join his men on possibly dangerous missions.

When not with his regiment, Harry spends every avilable moment with his first true love - South African girlfriend Chelsy Davy - whom he began dating in 2004. The pair have enjoyed many romantic vacations in her country and he enjoys a good relationship with her parents. A vivacious blonde, she is said to suit Harry to the ground as an equally fun-loving spirit.

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