Royally Played: Prince Harry's Birthday Retrospective

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

This photo is from 2004 -- Harry was only 20 here -- but I couldn't resist beginning during a time when Wills had all his hair. As I've said here before, most elegantly, I'm just happy for Kate that she got to tap that while it still looked like this. (No offense, Wills, you're still quite handsome.) Harry, on the other hand, has been forever a bracelet enthusiast.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Ah, youthful flight suits. One of my favorite things. Get ready to see many a flight suit in this slideshow.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Harry also has a long, long history of cuddling puppies. Look at this dog!

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Whee! Romantic wedding uniforms!

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

So many hot white polo pants photos. Never stop wearing hot white polo pants, men of the world.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Kate's placed herself in the middle of a very handsome sandwich here.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

I suspect that Harry must be happy to have a captive and appreciative audience for his balcony-witticisms.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

One must appreciate his joy at the pleasures of a flyover.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

This uniform is remarkably effective from the hotness perspective.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

A classic shot.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Also classic: A hot gossip session with livestock.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

And showing affection to Great Britain's most noble regimental goats.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

I once noted that I thought the 2012 Olympics were the apex of Harry's hotness, and while I would not argue that he is LESS hot now -- as I do still believe him to be hot -- he WAS super hot then. The Olympics make everyone look better.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

The Olympics are also emotionally nerve-wracking.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

And apparently require much personal grooming.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

I have this photo saved as "Prince Harry Hot Jeans," and I stand by that.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

I can only assume Harry's patronus is a goat.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Everyone loves pointing!

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Remember that time Harry lovingly cradled a pygmy hedgehog?

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Abs!

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

High-fives!

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

CUDDLY BABIES!

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Brotherly rough-housing!

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

This photo is so great.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Er, so is this one.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Uh, so is this one.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Forearms forearms forearms forearms forearms.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

I love this smirky half-smile.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Harry is NOTEWORTHILY dirty in this photo.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

CUPCAKES!

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Who doesn't love the cheeky salute?

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Speaking of cheeky.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Likewise, who doesn't want to have tea with Michelle Obama (in this amazing dress)? Everyone here seems delighted.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

THE BEARD HAS ARRIVED. Can we all agree that we never thought this beard would last so long, and that we're delighted that it did?

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

As much as I love buttoning and unbuttoning, the unbuttoning of a tuxedo jacket is a special kind of unbuttoning which must be saluted.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Harry seems like a very good hugger.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Indeed.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

INDEED.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

This snap -- and the previous one -- is from Harry's trip to Nepal, which was highly photogenic and very interesting in general.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

That royal tour also brought what seemed like much photogenic introspection.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

In case you forget which prince is which.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

I assume Harry has this photo blown up and hung over his fireplace.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

This photo is so charmingly chatty. Both between the princes, and the horses.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Cameo by Nick Offerman!

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

This is very sporty, and also very pleasant to observe.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Why, yes. I WILL hold your hand.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

I love this photo. Michelle is like, "please give it up for Prince Harry," and Harry is like, "you probably should give it up for me."

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

The Harry/Michelle friendship that I have invented in my head (and which I think is at least PARTIALLY TRUE, as they clearly like each other) is one of my favorite celebrity relationships of the last several years. Michelle, we're all depending on you to find Harry a nice person to marry. MAKE IT ME!

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

This just looks like a fun event overall.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

I feel like Joe Biden probably ALSO likes Harry. Maybe in January, we can get a reality show where Michelle Obama and Joe Biden find true love for Harry. It really WILL be Who Wants to Marry Harry? except seriously high-end and classy. Occasionally President Obama can pop in and weigh in on things. We can have an episode where prospective brides hang out with Sasha and Malia, and then they, too, get to weigh in. At some point, Michelle will sit the women down and have a serious talk with them about what it means for them to marry someone who lives in the public eye, and are they really sure they want to do this, and everyone will make a searching inventory of her heart. I'm just really excited about this.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Aw, Harry.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

This was the Salute Cam at the Invictus Games, and Harry has really committed to that saluting.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Hey, remember when we all decided Harry and this (married, whatever) swimmer at the Invictus Games were in love? That was fun.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Also fun? Shirtless swimmers.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Exactly.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

More good hugging!

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

More...whatever this is!

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Who HASN'T stuck her head into the mouth of a fake shark?

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

The LA Rams are AWFUL. Think we can draft Harry? His form looks okay.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

Harry spends a lot of time chatting up old veterans and it warms my heart. This is the best.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

I told you this slideshow had various fight suits.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

AND thumbs-up.

Happy Birthday, Hot Prince Harry

This was when Harry let a veteran whose plane wasn't cleared for take-off fly HIS plane during a Battle of the Blitz event. This photo was -- quite literally, I am not joking -- Harry's Christmas card last year. I wish it had been mine.