Many of us watched Prince Harry bare his soul in a TV interview on Sunday.

He was speaking to interviewer Tom Bradby ahead of the release of his memoir Spare, which is published today.

In recognition of the book's publication, we look back at an altogether different time for the now-Duke of Sussex, 17 years ago when, during his time in the Army, he was stationed at Bovington on a six-month course as a troop commander.

He had been learning to drive and command Warrior tanks at Bovington and fire artillery on ranges at Lulworth.

But there were some real moments of levity during the Prince's training - among them, attending a gig in August 2006 played by Weymouth pub band Beaver.

The prince danced to cover versions of classic rock songs and was presented with a Beaver T-shirt by the band.

The concert was held at Lulworth Army Camp where the prince was undergoing part of his tank troop leader training.

Officials were so impressed with the band's performance at a summer ball in the officers' mess earlier this year they were invited back to play at a fancy dress party.

Band member Pete Smith, who was then landlord of the Park Hotel in Weymouth, told the Echo it was a real privilege to play for the Prince.

He said Prince Harry was 'very pleasant' and 'just one of the lads'.

The news made the front page of that day's edition of the Dorset Echo, with the sub-editors headlining the news as 'Rock 'n' Royal'.

Dorset Echo:

Beaver - featuring lead vocalist and bassist Dave Phillips, guitarists Pete Smith and Paul Sundt, drummer Nick Harper and backing vocalist and percussionist Rhea Soulsby - said they were honoured to play for the prince.

Pete Smith said: "It was a real privilege.

"Prince Harry was very impressed. He chatted to us for a while during the break. We gave him our business card afterwards so who knows where our next booking will be."

The theme of the party was American high school and Beaver, which played a weekly slot at Weymouth's Dorothy Inn, provided a suitable backing track with songs including Bryan Adams's Summer Of 69 and Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N' Roses.

Mr Smith, who is also landlord of the Park Hotel in Weymouth, said: "I understand the party was held to celebrate a passing out ceremony for recruits from Sandhurst.

"We didn't know if the prince was going to turn up but after a while he came in. When we chatted during the break he thought it was the end of the set but we told him we had a second half to play. He was very pleasant, just one of the lads really."

He added: "We play a lot of old covers and I didn't think the prince would know any of the songs but he said we were great.

"We gave him one of our T-shirts which he put on straight away."

The band said they are now learning a new song after failing to fulfil a musical request from the prince.

Mr Smith said: "He asked for Come On Eileen by Dexy's Midnight Runners.

"It's a classic song but it's not one we know as a band. We're definitely going to learn it though in case he wants to book us in the future."