Prince Harry Wins Popularity Prize In Army

Britain's Prince Harry has won a coveted army popularity prize. The 24-year-old prince - who has completed initial pilot training with the RAF - was voted as "the man you would most want on your squadron" by his peers and instructors.

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During his graduation ceremony - which was at the RAF base at Barkston Heath, Lincolnshire - Harry was awarded the Horsa Trophy in front of over 100 of his fellow Army Air Corps colleagues.

A source said told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "It shows he is not only popular, but has natural pilot skills."

Harry's flight training has not all been smooth sailing. The prince failed a theory-based test just weeks into the two-year course. He took extra lessons and later passed the exam.

Other reports suggested Harry had trouble remembering checks and procedures and his performance was rated "average" overall.

Harry - who is known as Lieutenant Wales - started training in January and Tuesday joined his brother Prince William at RAF Shawbury for the next phase of his flight training.

If he successfully completes the course, he will be qualified to pilot Apache, Gazelle or Lynx helicopters by 2010.

The royal - who served 10 weeks in Afghanistan in 2007 - reportedly enrolled in the training course to improve his chances of being redeployed to the front line.