進入英語學習論壇下載音頻 去聽寫專區一展身手

Britain's Prince Harry has worked hard to shake off his wild-child image - and his newfound maturity will be tested to the limit when he acts as best man at his brother Prince William's wedding.

After highly publicized indiscretions, William's younger brother now takes his responsibilities seriously and became the first royal in more than 25 years to serve in a war zone.

Third in line to the throne, 26-year-old Harry has a difficult path to tread.

Though William is on course to become king one day, Prince Charles' second son has his every move scrutinized nonetheless - and Harry has erred spectacularly.

At the age of 17 he admitted having smoked cannabis and was soon a regular fixture at London nightclubs, with alcohol, cigarettes, aristocratic beauties and a scuffle outside with paparazzi the common tale. His mischievous antics were viewed largely with amused affection until he went to a fancy dress party in 2005 wearing a mock Nazi uniform, triggering horrified front-page headlines worldwide.

That incident threatened to stop his entry into the army, but he knuckled down to his military duties and served as a front-line officer in Afghanistan for 10 weeks until a media blackout was broken in 2008.

Serving in Afghanistan revitalized his reputation, but the following year he was dragged back down when a video he made in 2006 emerged, showing him using the derogatory term "Paki" about a fellow soldier.

Since then, the prince has immersed himself in military and charity work, gradually improving his profile, and this month he was promoted to the rank of captain after completing five years' service.

"Harry has changed public perceptions of himself," said Richard Palmer, the Daily Express newspaper's royal reporter.

"He was a bit of a wild child when he was younger. Like a lot of young people, he regularly let off steam getting hammered in nightclubs," he said.

去聽寫專區一展身手

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）

About the broadcaster:

Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.