While at Eton, Harry led the school cadet force on the parade ground

The prince had to take the Regular Commission Board tests alongside fellow would-be officers to win a place.

The four-day assessment also featured an obstacle course, medical examination and current affairs test.

Harry had to do 44 press-ups and 50 sit-ups - each in two minutes - and show a fitness level equivalent to a one-and-a-half mile run in 10min 30sec.

Candidates normally begin the tests at the site in Westbury, Wiltshire, on a Tuesday, with results announced on a Friday.

TESTING TIME AT SANDHURST Male candidates must complete 50 sit-ups in two minutes They are expected to do 44 press-ups in the same time They must be fit enough to run the equivalent of 1.5 miles in 10min 30sec A 20-minute medical tests candidates' weight, blood pressure and sight Harry to join the Army

Assessors want to see "quality of character as well as the intellectual and physical capacities of prospective officers with a view to identifying leadership potential".

On the first day, the prince will have undergone physical assessments including a multi-stage fitness test.

The sit-ups and press-ups are followed by a written essay and questions on current affairs, general and service knowledge.

Day two brings outdoor activities and an interview in which candidates are told: "Sell yourself, make us want to buy."

Aid supplies

On the third day, the 20-year-old prince will have completed a written planning exercise known as the PlanEx which candidates are said to "never forget".

A possible task would be putting together a plan to deliver essential aid supplies in extreme winter weather while caring for an injured woman and children with hypothermia.

In the afternoon, the would-be officers have to complete an individual obstacle course and leadership tasks.

And in case candidates have not felt tested enough over the first three days, the fourth day brings an early morning race.

Most of the recruits are graduates and older than Prince Harry

He will have experienced the "benefits of officer life" with a formal dinner in the officers' mess the night before.

He would have to hope the menu of prawn cocktail, stuffed chicken and meringue did not slow him down too much the next day.

Result letters are sent to all the officer hopefuls on Friday afternoon.

Most of the 800 recruits accepted at the college each year are graduates and will be older than Harry, with an average age of almost 23.

Women candidates make up nearly 10% of British cadets and have trained at Sandhurst since 1984.

Major General Andrew Ritchie, the commandant of Sandhurst, describes becoming an officer as "a great privilege as well as a stimulating challenge".

The academy's job is "to train and educate young men and women, to develop their leadership skills", he says on the Sandhurst website

He adds: "Where our young officers find themselves, at home as well as abroad, they are given great responsibility, certainly more than was the case a generation ago."