Prince Harry is Headed Down Under!

After much speculation, Kensington Palace confirmed today that Prince Harry is headed down under next week. The fourth-in-line to the throne will attend the International Fleet Review in Sydney, complete with more than 40 warships, 16 tall ships and 8,000 naval personnel from 19 nations. Harry will be attending several events to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the arrival of the Royal Australian Navy’s first fleet in Sydney Harbour in 1913.

As the guest of honor, the 28-year-old royal will join Australia’s new prime minister Tony Abbott as well as governor-general Quentin Bryce, to survey the HMAS Leeuwin on October 5.

Putting weeks of unconfirmed rumors to rest, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced the royal visit today, saying: “Australians have great warmth towards members of the royal family.”

While the event runs from October 3 – 11, Harry’s specific itinerary has yet to be released. Personally I’m hoping he heads home immediately as I will be in London that week, although I suspect the Australians would disagree with me on this.

UPDATE (10:00am): Prince Harry is due to attend the Sentebale “Forget Me Not” dinner in Dubai on October 7 – he may be in London for me after all… 

Richard Palmer, @RoyalReporter

Prince Harry first visited the commonwealth nation during his gap year in 2003; this visit will mark his first official visit representing his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

It is easy to see why Australia was keen to have Captain Wales in attendance for this momentous celebration; his international popularity combined with his status as Apache helicopter pilot for the British Army Air Corps makes him the ideal special guest.

As exciting as the prospect of Captain Wales inspecting ships is, don’t look to me for coverage of this event – I will actually be on a plane to the UK! Here’s hoping he makes it back to London for the following week so we can hang out. Kidding, kind of.

Happy 29th Birthday, Prince Harry!

First off, I know I haven’t been around lately – I was traveling with Harry. Okay, not really.. I’ve just been busy. What better occasion to come back than Prince Harry’s birthday?

Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales was born 29 years ago today, but I must say that 28th year has been my favorite of all. Why is that? Well, here’s 29 reasons (in no particular order) in honor of Prince Harry’s last year in his twenties.

1. He waved and smiled at me on our flight back to New Jersey from Colorado (okay, I lied – this is definitely #1…the rest are in no order of awesomeness)

2. He visited my home, the Jersey Shore, and shed light on the ongoing struggles after Hurricane Sandy

3. He called us (Jersey Shore residents) “fantastic”

4. He played sitting volleyball with wounded warriors in Colorado..and had a very difficult time keeping his bum on the ground

5. He was all serious and army captain-like at the opening ceremony of the Warrior Games

6. He looked really good on a horse in Connecticut

7. He played baseball with adorable kids in Harlem

8. He left a touching note for fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetary

9. He surprised a group of oblivious kids at The White House

10. Basically everything about his trip the United States

11. He became an uncle. I repeat – Harry has a nephew. Whom he probably holds and plays with and babysits. Yup.

12. Oh, and he admitted to enjoying a “cuddle” with Prince George just days after his birth

13. He was adorable, charitable and made ill children smile at the WellChild Awards, telling one young girl he just saw Georgie smile for the first time. Swoon.

14. He went to Lesotho in February for his charity, Sentebale, and wore a purple teddy bear apon

15. He danced with local children in Lesotho. Not sure if I would exactly call that “dancing..”

16. He came home from Afghanistan in one piece

17. He did an amazing interview during his time as an Apache helicopter pilot in Afghanistan..and ran to the fighting machine so heroically when duty called

18. He attended the London Marathon and honored the Boston Marathon bombing victims. Not backing down from the terrorists once again.

19. He went to Angola to continue his mother’s mission of working with The Halo Trust

20. He announced that he will trek to the South Pole with Walking With The Wounded 

21. He looked perfect in a tux with the Walking With The Wounded Crystal Ball

22. He went to several weddings, yet is still not getting married himself *sigh of relief*

23. He played polo with his brother quite often this summer – and had fun doing it

24. He played trader for a day in honor of the September 11th victims at the annual BGC Charity Day

25. Oh, and he broke a record for funds raised – while still managing to rib on his big brother

26. He stunned the crowd at The Cosford Air Show with his piloting prowess

27. Everything about his tour of the Warner Bros. Studios with William and Kate

28. He changed a baby doll’s diaper during a visit to Headway’s headquarters

29. He didn’t get back together with Chelsy Davy. Sorry, Chels.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY!