Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 15, 2026

How Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is a member of the British royal family and the younger son of King Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales. He served for ten years in the British Armed Forces, completing two tours of duty in Afghanistan. In 2018, he married American actress Meghan Markle, with whom he shares two children. In 2020, the couple announced their decision to step back as senior working members of the royal family, eventually relocating to California to pursue financial independence and philanthropic endeavors. Harry has become a prominent advocate for mental health, veterans' causes, and environmental issues, notably founding the Invictus Games, an international sporting competition for wounded service personnel. His relationship with the media and the monarchy has been a subject of intense public scrutiny, further detailed in his 2023 memoir, Spare, and various media projects. He continues to balance his life as a private citizen with high-profile charitable work.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1985: First Overseas Royal Tour

In 1985, Prince Harry began accompanying his parents on official royal duties, marking the occasion of his very first overseas tour which took place in Italy.

2002: Inheritance from Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother

In 2002, media reports detailed the inheritance structure for Prince Harry and Prince William regarding trust funds established by their great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. It was disclosed that the brothers would receive a combined disbursement of £4.9 million upon turning 21, followed by another £8 million at age 40, with Prince Harry expected to receive a larger portion of the total sum due to his brother's future role as monarch.

September 2004: Passing the Regular Commissions Board

In September 2004, Prince Harry successfully passed the Regular Commissions Board (RCB) assessment, a critical step toward his military service.

May 2005: Entry to Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

On 8 May 2005, Prince Harry began his training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as Officer Cadet Wales, having previously dealt with a knee injury, and joined Alamein Company.

April 2006: Commissioning as a Second Lieutenant

In April 2006, Prince Harry finished his officer training and received his commission as a Cornet (second lieutenant) in the Blues and Royals, part of the Household Cavalry.

April 2006: Ministry of Defence Deployment Policy Announcement

In April 2006, the Ministry of Defence addressed the potential deployment of Prince Harry to Iraq, stating that while he was expected to perform full duties, his presence required special security considerations to avoid endangering his unit, sparking a public debate about his front-line participation.

October 2006: Completion of Troop Leaders' Course

In October 2006, Prince Harry successfully completed the Troop Leaders' Course and rejoined his regiment in Windsor, where he assumed command of a troop of 11 soldiers and four Scimitar reconnaissance vehicles.

February 2007: Official Deployment Announcement to Iraq

On 22 February 2007, the Ministry of Defence and Clarence House jointly confirmed that Prince Harry would deploy to Iraq with the 1st Mechanised Brigade, following his firm stance that he would leave the army if he were not allowed to serve alongside his fellow soldiers.

April 2007: Decision for Harry's deployment to Iraq

On 30 April 2007, General Sir Richard Dannatt, the head of the British Army, personally decided that Prince Harry would serve as a troop commander with his unit in Iraq.

June 2007: Deployment Training in Canada

In June 2007, Prince Harry traveled to CFB Suffield in Alberta, Canada, to undergo military training with soldiers from the British Army and the Canadian Forces. This training was conducted in preparation for a potential deployment to the ongoing NATO-led Afghan War.

2007: Active Service in Afghanistan

In 2007, Prince Harry began a ten-week deployment in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan as part of his active military service.

February 2008: Revelation of Afghan Deployment

In February 2008, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that Prince Harry had spent the previous ten weeks serving in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, as a joint terminal attack controller. The disclosure occurred prematurely due to media breaches by Bild and New Idea, forcing his immediate extraction for security reasons.

April 2008: Promotion to Lieutenant

On 13 April 2008, Prince Harry was officially promoted to the rank of lieutenant following the completion of two years of seniority in the military.

May 2008: Receipt of the Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan

In May 2008, Prince Harry was honored for his military service in Afghanistan when his aunt, Princess Anne, presented him with the Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan during a ceremony held at Combermere Barracks.

October 2008: Announcement of Helicopter Pilot Training

In October 2008, it was officially announced that Prince Harry would begin training to fly military helicopters, continuing a family tradition alongside his father, brother, and uncle.

2008: Conclusion of First Afghanistan Deployment

The ten-week active service deployment for Prince Harry in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, concluded in 2008.

February 2009: Pilot Theory Test Failure

During February 2009, Prince Harry faced a setback in his military aviation training when he failed his initial pilot's theory test.

May 2010: Receipt of Flying Brevet

On 7 May 2010, Prince Charles presented Prince Harry with his official flying brevet wings during a ceremony held at the Army Air Corps Base at Middle Wallop.

April 2011: Apache Qualification and Promotion

In April 2011, Prince Harry reached significant milestones by receiving his Apache Flying Badge on 14 April 2011 and being promoted to the rank of captain on 16 April 2011.

June 2011: Deployment Announcement for Afghanistan

In June 2011, Clarence House announced that Prince Harry would be eligible for deployment to Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter pilot, subject to final approval by senior military commanders.

October 2011: Helicopter Gunship Training in the United States

In October 2011, Prince Harry relocated to a U.S. military base in California to finalize his helicopter gunship training. Throughout the month, he participated in live-fire exercises and judgment drills in California and Arizona, ultimately graduating at the top of his class at the Naval Air Facility in El Centro, California.

November 2011: Completion of Apache Helicopter Training

Following his return to England in November 2011, Prince Harry reported to Wattisham Airfield in Suffolk to conclude his specialized training for operating Apache helicopters.

2012: Deployment with the Army Air Corps

Prince Harry began a twenty-week deployment in Afghanistan with the Army Air Corps during 2012.

2013: Completion of Second Afghanistan Deployment

In 2013, Prince Harry completed his twenty-week tour of duty serving in Afghanistan with the Army Air Corps.

2014: Founding of the Invictus Games

Inspired by his experiences and the Warrior Games in the United States, Prince Harry founded the Invictus Games in 2014 to support wounded service members.

2016: Launch of Heads Together

In 2016, Prince Harry co-founded the mental health awareness initiative known as Heads Together alongside Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales.

January 2020: Stepping back from royal duties and relocation

In January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their decision to step back from their positions as senior working royals and subsequently moved their family to Southern California, where they founded the organization Archewell Inc.

2023: Publication of Spare

In 2023, Prince Harry released his debut memoir titled 'Spare', which provides personal insights into his life and experiences within the royal family.

7 September 2012: Deployment to Camp Bastion

On 7 September 2012, Prince Harry arrived at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan to begin a four-month combat deployment serving as an Apache helicopter co-pilot and gunner with the 662 Squadron.