Prince Harry pulls out of bayonet training

Nov 9, 2005, 19:48 GMT

Britain's Prince Harry has pulled out of bayonet training at military school - because he has a sore thumb.

The 21-year-old royal - who has been dubbed 'Sicknote' by fellow cadets due to the amount of ailments he has suffered since starting training at Sandhurst - has been ordered to rest by doctors after injuring his thumb in a game of rugby at the weekend.

Harry was due to start bayonet training, which involves stabbing the weapons
into stuffed hessian sacks, earlier this week.

But he was relieved from taking part in the session after presenting a note from his doctor excusing him from any "strenuous" activity, according to Scotland's Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.

Earlier this year, Harry hit back at critics who claimed he is too sickly for army training - by signing up for a gruelling mountaineering course. A royal aide said at the time: "Prince Harry is determined to show what it takes to be an army officer. He has just chosen one of the toughest options on his course."

Harry chose mountaineering over easier options such as canoeing or sailing. The climbing course will take place in the Alps or Scotland in December, and will involve climbing sheer rock faces in freezing conditions.

The prince is an experienced climber, a hobby he shares with older brother William. At the tender age of 13 he abseiled down a 156ft dam in Wales without a helmet or safety rope.

Copyright 2005 BANG Media International