Prince Harry and a £15,000 payout to help him back into ‘civilian’ life

HE LIVES in a palace and is fourth in line to the throne, but Prince Harry is due to receive a resettlement package worth about £15,000 to ease him back into civilian life when he leaves the Army in June.

Harry ( right), who is believed to earn around £ 40,000 per year as a captain, qualified for the special payment after ten years in the Forces.

According to the Ministry of Defence, ‘a resettlement grant is applicable if the individual has completed nine years’ service from age 21 to aid resettlement into civilian life.’

The 30-year-old prince is also likely to pick up a pension of some £7,100 per year, as well as a lump sum of about £19,000, although he will have to wait until he is 65 to claim them. ‘We offer a supportive resettlement package to make the change as easy as possible,’ says the Army’s guidance to those leaving the service.

Harry is not in urgent need of the £15,000. He inherited £10 million of his l ate mother Princess Diana’s fortune when he turned 30. Harry spoke last week about the difficulties he would face returning to Civvy Street, saying i t was a ‘ really tough’ decision to leave the Army.

‘Inevitably, most good things come to an end and I am at a crossroads in my military career,’ he said. ‘I am considering the options for the future and I am really excited about the possibilities.’ A Palace spokesman describes the package as ‘a private matter’.

A royal source says: ‘It will be down to him what he does with his pension and other possible bits and pieces.’