Prince Harry celebrates 40th birthday today and here’s his 11 of his best royal moments
The Duke of Sussex is celebrating his 40th birthday today in Montecito, California, with his family and friends - here are 11 of his best moments caught on camera.
Prince Harry has spent his life in the spotlight. The royal was first photographed at just one day old back in 1984 and has had most of his life well-documented in the public eye.
The much-loved royal is celebrating his milestoe 40th birthday today. He is expected to spend his special day in Montecito with the three most important people in his life - his wife, Meghan Markle and their two children, Archie, five and Lilibet, three.
Following a special day with his young family, Harry is expected to spend some time hiking the mountains in California with some of his closest male friends.
Although he now spends most of his time away from the spotlight, Harry has four decades of achievements, successes and special memories.
So, as the Royal Family — and fans alike — celebrate Harry's milestone birthday, Express.co.uk takes a look at some of his best moments.
Henry Charles Albert David was born on Saturday, September 15, 1984, at the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in Paddington. He was the second-born son of Charles, Prince of Wales (now-King Charles III) and the late Diana, Princess of Wales. At the time of his birth, the baby - who was dubbed 'Harry' from an early age - was third to the royal throne. He was christened on December 21, 1984, at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie.
Harry spent his early years living between Kensington Palace in London and Highgrove House in Gloucestershire with his parents and older brother, Prince William. Harry has previously referred to his childhood as a happy one, documenting in his 2023 memoir that his summers were often spent running around the "playground" at Balmoral with his brother. Although the brothers' appeared to have a close relationship in their younger years, Harry previously recalled how he was dubbed the "spare" as opposed to William - who was the heir to the throne. In his memoir, he wrote: "My half of the room was far smaller, less luxurious. I never asked why. I didn’t care. But I also didn’t need to ask. Two years older than me, Willy was the Heir, whereas I was the Spare."
Harry's world came crashing down in August 1997 after the death of his beloved mother when he was just 12. Reflecting on the time following her death, Harry wrote in Spare how his young brain blocked out the trauma. He added that he can't recall what he said in those moments that would change his life forever, and how blurry and shock-ridden the subsequent days were. As Harry grew into a teenager, attempts were made to shield both Harry and William from the public eye. Harry joined Eton College, a time which he had reflecting on fondly. He did. however, speak of the "profound shock" at joining Eton, writing: "Eighteen prime ministers had been moulded in Eton’s classrooms, plus thirty-seven winners of the Victoria Cross. Heaven for brilliant boys, it could thus only be purgatory for one very unbrilliant boy."
After first visiting Africa aged 12, Harry has since had a lifelong love of the continent and one which would help him find his focus in life. In his memoir, Harry described his experiences in Africa as "life-changing" and "formative". He wrote: "highest compliment he'd ever received" from a friend in Africa: "She said: 'I think your body was born in Britain, but your soul was born here in Africa'." He made many visits back to Africa in his 20s, even working on projects in Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa and Botswana. In 2017, he became President of African Parks.
In 2005, aged 21, Harry entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst where he was known as Officer Cadet Wales. In 2006, it was announced that Harry's unit would be deployed in Iraq the following year. This sparked an intense debate within palace walls about whether he should be allowed to serve on the front line - but Harry was adamant he wanted to serve alongside his fellow soldiers. In 2021, Harry described his 10 years in the army as "the happiest times in my life".