Third in line to the throne Prince Harry celebrates his 24th birthday on Monday as a poll names him Britain’s coolest young royal.

Harry beat his cousin Zara Phillips, brother Prince William and other relatives Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie to the coveted title.

The royal has come of age this year after fulfilling a long held ambition to serve his country in the Armed Forces on the front line.

The Prince, a Lieutenant in the Household Cavalry’s Blues and Royals, was deployed to Afghanistan in December last year and served for 10 weeks.

But the deployment was cut short when a media blackout on reporting the news was broken by a website.

Harry has talked about his desire to serve again in a conflict zone and the poll found 62% of more than 3,000 people questioned believed he should return to the front, with 38% saying he should not.

The young royal has also spent part of this year checking on the progress of his Africa based charity Sentebale launched in memory of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales in 2006.

The royal soldier is reportedly in Canada so it is thought he will not be able to celebrate his birthday with girlfriend Chelsy Davy. (via PA)