Kensington Place said the prince is to end his 10-year military career after a four-week secondment to the Australian Defence Force, starting in April.

The fourth in line to the throne said his Army experience would stay with him for the rest of his life.

The prince said he was still considering his employment options.

Prince Harry saw action in Afghanistan twice, most recently in 2012 as an Apache helicopter co-pilot and gunner.

'Really tough decision'

In a statement released by Kensington Palace, the prince said he was at a "crossroads" and quitting the Army had been a "really tough decision".

The prince, who took up a staff officer role with the Army last year, said: "I consider myself incredibly lucky to have had the chance to do some very challenging jobs and have met many fantastic people in the process.

"From learning the hard way to stay onside with my Colour Sergeant at Sandhurst, to the incredible people I served with during two tours in Afghanistan, the experiences I have had over the last 10 years will stay with me for the rest of my life.

"For that I will always be hugely grateful."

While in Australia, the prince will spend time at an army barracks in Darwin, Perth and Sydney where he will carry out unit-based activities, training exercises and domestic deployments.

He will also join his father, the Prince of Wales, at the Gallipoli commemorations in Turkey on April 24 and 25.

After his stint in Australia, he will undertake an official royal tour to New Zealand.

When he leaves the Army in June, he will do voluntary work with a conservation project in Africa and with disabled veterans back in the UK.

-BBC