Prince Harry will leave the British Army earlier than expected, say his friends. Instead of a glittering 20-year career as a professional soldier, Harry has realized that no commander can commit him to the type of war zone the modern Army fights in.

Voices close to Prince Harry are now positioning him for a face-saving early exit to become a full-time Royal and charity worker, possibly together with girlfriend, Chelsy Davy.

Prince Harry with Chelsy Davy

A source is quoted as saying, “Harry has wanted to serve in the Army since he was a small boy and the debacle over his deployment to Iraq has hit him hard. The poor lad really is beside himself and more than a bit depressed. He keeps up nearly by the hour on what is happening with his boys in the Gulf.

“He is trying to be positive about what has happened because the situation out in Iraq is so unusual, but knows in his heart of hearts that pulling him out was the death knell for his Army career.”

The friend went on, “He has not put a timeline on it yet but he has definitely changed his mind about the Army being his full-time career and will leave earlier than was previously thought. He has decided he will devote his time to charity work and travel. Harry has a list that his mother once made of things she wanted to help to change in the world and he wants to check all of them off.

“Harry is quite a complex character in that way. He is an outgoing lad who loves a beer, a cigarette and night out on the tiles, but he can be incredibly sensitive too and is very passionate about his work in Africa, even though he doesn’t always articulate it particularly well.”

And what of Chelsy Davy? The source said, “Don’t be surprised if you see his girlfriend, Chelsy, doing a bit of good work as well. Harry has been trying to invigorate everyone around him to help those who need it.”

Well, at least he’s being realistic about his role in life. Sending the third in-line to the Throne to be killed on a vicious battlefield most people think is not worth fighting over, would be a dismal outcome for the nation, and for a young man with so much to offer in other ways.

Keep your spirits up, Harry. It’s all still to play for.

Also read Kate Middleton sizzles for summer.