Prince Harry is believed to be heading downunder, and the Queensland town of Townsville is making a major tourism push to attract the ginger-haired royal to their sunny northern town.
Prince Harry is believed to be leaving his post in the British Army, where he currently holds the title of Captain Wales, later this year, but not before first relocating down-under to spend time seconded with military units in Australia.
The citizens of Townsville are particularly keen that if Harry is going to spend time down under, it should be there!
Townsville Enterprise, the local tourism group, have launched a #handsupforharry campaign in the hopes of drawing Harry to their area.
Keen to bring a touch of international prestige to their sunny town, they are even sending a letter to Buckingham Palace in the hopes of serious consideration.
Patricia O’Callaghan, the chief executive of Townsville Enterprise, says: “There are a number of internationally acclaimed natural assets that are in Townsville such as the Great Barrier Reef, which I’m sure Prince Harry would love to experience.”
Townsville locals pose with a life-size Harry cut-out at the Reef HQ Aquarium
“We are confident if we could get Prince Harry to the region, he would fall in love with this place.
“Prince Harry has a life, and he is a young Royal. He likes to get out and explore.”
After nearly a decade in the British Army and two active tours of duty in Afghanistan, Prince Harry has decided it’s time to wrap things up.
A Kensington Palace spokesman confirmed that while Harry is still in the military, his focus has shifted from active field work to follow-up with injured soldiers – such as his involvement with the Invictus Games, a four day event which was held in London last year, where wounded military veterans compete in Paralympic-style events.
Harry takes a dip in Townsville waters…sort of. Pictures: Twitter
One such veteran, Paul Warren, who lost a leg in an improvised explosive device attack, competed in last year’s games and also happens to be a Townsville resident.
Paul told the Townsville Bulletin that a visit from Harry would be a great boost for morale for local soldiers too. “Having him come to the country, I have no doubt he will sit down and talk about our wounded soldiers and their plans for the future,” he said.
“He is always very generous with his time and very approachable and I really admire him.”
rince Harry as a teen enjoying his gap year in Australia.
A teary-eyed Prince Harry leads tributes ahead of Remembrance Day
A senior palace source told the Evening Standard: “The Prince thought long and hard about his decision to leave active military service but, having served his country on two tours of duty, he felt the time was right to leave. He has loved his time serving.”
“Officials are still working on the precise timings but he will leave the military this year after serving Down Under. Before that he will travel to both countries and be based there and is very much looking forward to that.”
Prince Harry previously spent a significant portion of his gap year in Australia as a teen before joining the army. The Prince reportedly enjoyed his time working as a Jackaroo on a cattle station in Tooloombilla, Australia.
Harry’s new pursuits could potentially kick off quite soon too with the Prince joining his father Prince Charles in Gallipolli in April at the 100th anniversary Anzac Day dawn service. It’s believed that he will have already spent time in Australia before flying to that engagement in Turkey.
Prince Harry worked as a Jackaroo in Australia during his gap year after graduating Eton.
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