Prince Harry

[mike001]

You're right ChrisH...I never thought of that, but I guess it would have been possible to avoid getting involved, and as you say, he'll be just as vulnerable as the others. We have friends out there too, but I am sympatheic to all, not just our friends. But being Royal fans out here, I was curious about the whole thing.

[ChrisH]

mike001, this is a piece from the BBC news site about Harry's deployment that may interest you.

Prince Harry will serve in Iraq
Prince Harry's regiment is to be sent to Iraq for a six-month tour of duty, defence officials have confirmed. Harry would carry out "a normal troop commander's role" serving with his Blues and Royals regiment, they said.

The prince was praised by Prime Minister Tony Blair as a "brave and determined young man" with "a very special character".

He will be the first senior royal to serve on the front line since Prince Andrew in the Falklands in 1982.
This will involve "leading a troop of 12 men in four Scimitar armoured reconnaissance vehicles, each with a crew of three" from the regiment's "A squadron", a joint statement from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Clarence House said.
"The decision to deploy him has been a military one, made by Chief of General Staff, Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, in conjunction with Cornet Wales' commanding officer," it added. "The Royal household has been consulted throughout."

Further details of exactly where Harry, 22, would serve, or his specific role, would not be released because such a move would be "potentially dangerous", the statement added.

Speaking in an interview with the BBC on Thursday night, Mr Blair said Harry's determination to serve in Iraq was "very typical of him. "He's a brave young man and he's a very determined young man who wants to be part of his regiment and part of the Army," he said. "I think that shows a very special character on his part."

Sandhurst graduation

A Blues and Royals source said Harry, who has long expressed his determination to see front-line action, was "over the moon" at the deployment. Last year, the prince said: "There's no way I'm going to put myself through Sandhurst and then sit on my arse back home while my boys are out fighting for their country."

In a written statement to MPs, Defence Secretary Des Browne said two squadrons from Harry's Household Cavalry Regiment would be deployed with the rotation of troops to take place in May and June.

The lead formation of British troops, currently 19 Light Brigade, would be replaced by 1 Mechanised Brigade, supported by Prince's Harry's regiment, the statement added.

Prince Harry graduated from Sandhurst in April last year and qualified as an armoured reconnaissance troop leader in October. His rank of Cornet is used by a small number of cavalry units including the Blues and Royals and is the equivalent of the more usual rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Known to colleagues as Troop Commander Wales, he is able to lead reconnaissance units known as the Army's "eyes and ears".

Confirmation of the deployment comes after Prime Minister Tony Blair told MPs that 1,600 British troops would return from Iraq within the next few months.

He said the 7,100 serving troops in the south of Iraq around Basra would be cut to 5,500 soon, with hopes that 500 more will leave by late summer.

Prince Andrew, Harry's uncle, was a helicopter pilot in the Falklands conflict.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6383747.stm

[critter crazy]

I think it is awsome what he is doing! Most people in his position would hide, and not do the right thing.Prince Harry, is an excelent Role model, for all. I just hope, along with everyone else that he is safe, and will come back home, once his tour is done. Thankfully everyone in my family, as well as all of my friends have come back home safely.

[Miss Z]

This has been on British news quite a bit lately. I agree with ChrisH, just being a member of the Royal family should not allow him any special privilages. As a member of our armed forces, it's his duty to serve hs country.

However, I believe that if he does end up going, I doubt he'll be in anything like front-line service, or whatever else the media say he's going to do.

[kuhio98]

I worry about his whole regiment. Since the media is likely to report its every movement, I worry about all the attention that will be focused on them. Wouldn't that attract suicide bombers? Wouldn't that put his regiment in more danger than the others?

[gini]

I just wish him Godspeed as I do every young man that must serve in Iraq!

[Bengalz]

I just wish him Godspeed as I do every young man that must serve in Iraq!

I agree Gini - anyone in this position deserves our support and respect notwithstanding who he/she is. I hope Harry (along with his colleagues along side) are not a victims of his heritage.

[sparks19]

I say....

GOOD FOR HIM. it is truly a noble thing he is doing when he could so easily get out of it because of his status. Although I can't see why they would target him more than anyone else.... he is part of the royal family but he does not stand to inherit the throne. if they were going to go after someone I would think it would be william. Harry truly is leading by example and he is doing a wonderful service. it is sad that his service is being diminished and he is being referred to as a psuedo celebrity. At least he is doing SOMETHING. his regiment is one of the most respected and well known regiments of the british army. he is not going over there to have tea parties people. he deserves the same respect as anyone over there even if he is just a "psuedo celebrity". And those celebrities that do USO shows over there are providing more a of a service than many think.

I do hope that the press isn't so stupid as to report his every move and location although I know that is what will happen. the media is so out of touch. I wish they were not privvy to such information. They should only be told what they need to know.... they do NOT need to know where he is and exactly what he is doing. Just like the media shouldn't be privvy ANYONE's exact whereabouts or their missions. they do not need to know and it does NOT need to be reported. do they not realize that giving out this kind of info is only hurting our troops... not helping.

God speed to everyone over there.

[Sophist]

I say....

he deserves the same respect as anyone over there even if he is just a "psuedo celebrity". And those celebrities that do USO shows over there are providing more a of a service than many think.

I didn't knock the celebrities that go over to do those tours. In fact, though they probably never reach them, I have written thank you letters and sent them to all the celebrities who have visited my brother's and friends units, or whose philanthropy I have read about in the news..

I also did not attempt to diminish the fact that it is a good thing he is going over there (I think a few of our politicians should be willing to send their children as well, although I have recently heard that John McCain's son is going). I don't think referring to him as a psuedo-celebrity tarnishes his career. He is a psuedo-celebrity. He is famous and celebrated and scrutinized because he is related to a remnant of a past political system, and his lovely mom has a tragic story that provides tabloids with endless morbid fascination and speculation.

And lastly, I do not feel I disrespected him as a soldier. I simply care more about my family than the random person I see on the cover of the tabloids. Not saying that there are any soldiers in Iraq I don't care about or wish well, just saying I am not going to feel any special affinity for Harry over my baby brother just because he is sorta famous for being related to public figures.

[Sophist]

However, I believe that if he does end up going, I doubt he'll be in anything like front-line service, or whatever else the media say he's going to do.

Very much agreed.