On his 26th birthday, Britain’s Prince Harry spends the day training to be helicopter pilot

Britain’s Prince Harry celebrates 26th birthday

LONDON — Prince Harry is 26 — and like many 20-somethings, he is working on his birthday.

The redheaded Harry, known in the military as Lt. Harry Wales, is in training to become an Apache attack helicopter pilot in Britain’s Army Air Corps. He began an eight-month course in July and has repeatedly said he hopes to get back to the front lines in Afghanistan.

Harry served as a battlefield air controller in the country’s restive southern Helmand province during a secret 10-week tour in 2007 and 2008.

A spokeswoman in Harry’s office at St. James’ Palace said Wednesday the prince would be continuing his training on his birthday.

Harry is the younger son of Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, and third in line to the British throne.