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Birthday boy Prince Harry celebrates in the sky
15 Sep 2009Prince Harry celebrates his 25th birthday today.
The third in line to the throne, who is rumoured to have rekindled his relationship with former girlfriend Chelsy Davy, will spend the day flying Squirrel helicopters as part of his routine pilot training at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire.
Harry is now entitled to part of the inheritance left to him by his mother Diana, Princess of Wales.
It is understood he will, for the moment, not touch the money.
Like his brother Prince William, Harry was left £6.5 million in the princess's will following her death in a car crash in 1997.
Diana had an estate of £21 million, but more than £8 million was paid in inheritance tax, leaving £12,966,022.
It was split equally between William and younger brother Harry.
Through investments, it is likely to have grown substantially since the Princess's death.
But it is not known how, or if, the economic downturn has affected the amount.
Changes agreed to the will in December 1997 meant that, upon reaching 25, William and Harry would be entitled to the whole of the income of their share.
Before the age of 25, income could be paid at the trustees' discretion.
The trustees can pay over capital at any time, but when the princes turn 30, they can ask for their share of the capital in full.
The princess's estate was made up of stocks and shares, jewellery, her multi-million pound divorce settlement, dresses and personal items from Kensington Palace.
Harry is currently training to become an Army Air Corps helicopter pilot, and as a Lieutenant in the British Army is on a pay band of £29,006 to £32,061.
Born on September 15 1984, he was christened Prince Henry Charles Albert David at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington.
He was just 12 when his mother was killed in a Paris car crash.
Harry trained to become an officer in the Army at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, joining the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals.
In 2007, he was prevented from being deployed to Iraq at the last minute over fears for his safety.
But he went on to serve secretly in Afghanistan for 10 weeks last year.
Operating as a battlefield air controller behind enemy lines, he carried out aerial surveillance in Helmand province, orchestrating fighter bomber strikes on Taliban targets.
Reader views (1)
Yer right of course he did!!
- Steve, England, 15/09/2009 09:03
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