Rebellious Prince Harry Outgrowing His Reputation?
Oct. 6, 2005 — -- Red-haired Prince Harry spent his birthday at the military academy Sandhurst instead of blowing out 21 candles at a blowout Buckingham party like his big brother did years ago. Prince Charles reportedly decided that, for security reasons, it was best to avoid a lavish celebration, but many believe it was his way of keeping Harry's profile royally clean after a recent spate of poor outfits and poorer antics.
Don't worry, the No. 3 in line to the throne has much to celebrate. Despite not having the smarts or dreamy Diana-like eyes of his older brother, Prince William, Harry's got it pretty good -- no pressure to marry, no pressure to get a job and relative independence.
Two years ago, William threw an "Out of Africa" theme party for his 21st birthday, so Harry may have assumed that he would get the same privilege. Not so. All the birthday boy may be doing today is sneaking a beer at the local pub by Sandhurst. Don't mean to bust you, Harry, but we know you like to party. "I'm not having a party," he said to reporters for his birthday interview. "I'll probably be in a ditch in the middle of Wales. I might let off a party popper."
Blame Dad as the party pooper. Maybe Charles isn't into costume parties (more on that later) or perhaps he knows that his outstanding polo-swinging son really took advantage of his summer time off.
Once Sandhurst let out this summer, Cadet Wales, as he is known at the academy, decided to stick it out and take an Army scuba-diving course. Bravo. Dad and the queen must have been proud to see that the grueling, character-shaping training at the academy was having a positive effect on party boy Harry.
Bonus points all around, although the course only lasted five days. Harry was also known to call out sick at Sandhurst -- they don't call him "Sicknote" for nothing -- only to be caught playing polo a few days later. But hey, you gotta rest up before tournaments.
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