THEY have trained together, gone through "hell" together and today they will graduate together.

Hampshire soldier Simon Camilleri will line up alongside Prince Harry as they and other cadets take part in the 150th passing out parade at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.

The Queen, Prince Charles and other members of the royal family will be there to see Harry become an officer in the Army but the Camilleri family from Holbury will have their eyes fixed firmly on 24-year-old Simon, who becomes a 2nd Lieutenant.

His parents, Paula and Chris, grandad Derek and girlfriend Jessica are thrilled for him.

"I never thought in a million years when I enlisted I would end up where I am today," said Simon. "It's the biggest thing I've ever done.

"I've had to work very hard and even though I've had previous military experience it's been difficult but worth it. I've already had a taste of the Army and now this job is going to be the best in the world.

"I will look back and it will be the biggest achievement for a long time to come."

Simon will be among an intake of 250 officer cadets commissioned this term. He trained in a different company to 21-year-old Harry but has met the prince. Simon said: "He's a good cadet and gets treated like everyone else. He has to put up with hell just like the rest of us."

His training has introduced Simon to try new sports and he has become the British Army's Judo champion in the novice under 76kg, class.

He fared less well at waterpolo, losing out in a tournament to Harry's elder brother Prince William, who arrived at the academy in January.

"It was the first time I played it. He seemed very good. I went to school at St George's and we didn't even have a swimming pool," said Simon.

Simon gave up a job at Debenhams to join the Army in March 2001. He had been an instructor in the Army Cadets' Totton detachment, which he joined aged 13.

Simon completed his 12-week basic Army training with the Army Training Regiment Winchester. He then spent six months at Middle Wallop near Andover training to join the Army Air Corps as an air trooper and was posted to various places in the country.

His commanding officer put him forward for officer training at Sandhurst after spotting his potential.

He was the only serving member of a 4,000- strong regiment to start at Sandhurst in May last year after passing the selection tests.

After some additional training at Deepcut, 2nd Lt Camilleri will now join the 9 Supply Regiment of the Royal Logistics Corps, the backbone of the Army as a platoon commander responsible for 30 troops.

He is likely to see operations in Afghanistan next year and hopes to make captain within five years.