Prince Harry Set to Enroll in the Army

By Simon Perry

09/27/2004 at 09:00 AM EDT

Prince Harry's in the army now – well, at least once January arrives.

The 20-year-old passed a grueling four days of exams and will sign up for officer training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, early next year.

In a statement released by the office of his father, Prince Charles, at Clarence House, Harry said: "I am delighted that I have passed my Regular Commissions Board and that I can now go to Sandhurst. ... I have set my sights on joining the Army, and I am really looking forward to going to Sandhurst next year."

Although he may be worth an estimated $45 million, Harry's annual salary will be a measly $23,082 as an officer cadet in training. That figure will rise when he graduates.

Harry's military career path follows in the footsteps of his father, who spent five years in the armed services, where he trained as a pilot with the Royal Air Force. During his final 10 months of service in 1976, Charles, 55, took command of his own Royal Navy ship, the 360-ton minesweeper HMS Bronington.

Harry also shares a love of all things military with his older brother, William, who has also vowed, as future King, to do his duty. In May, William, 22 and a top cadet when he was at Eton College, told reporters that he had not ruled out serving in the armed forces.

This week, William enters his final year at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.