22/02/2007

Prince Harry to serve in Iraq

Prince Harry's regiment is set to deploy to Iraq later this year, the Ministry of Defence and Clarence House have confirmed.

In a joint statement, the MoD and Clarence House confirmed that the 22-year-old prince would be in command of a troop from 'A Squadron' of the Household Cavalry Regiment.

The statement said that while in Iraq, Cornet Wales - as he is known in his regiment - would carry out a normal troop commander's role, involving leading a troop of 12 men in four Scimitar armoured reconnaisance vehicles, each with a crew of three.

The Prince's regiment, the Blues and Royals, will serve in Iraq for six months as part of the latest deployments.

The rank of 'Cornet' is used by a small number of Cavalry units, including the Household Cavalry, and is the equivalent to the more usual rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

Prince Harry, the third in line to the throne, will now become the first senior Royal to serve on the front line since his uncle, Prince Andrew, who served as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands conflict in 1982.

The statement said that the decision to deploy the Prince had been "a military one", made by The Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt, in conjunction with Prince Harry's commanding officer, with the Royal Household being consulted throughout.

The prince is reported to be "over the moon" about the deployment.

No further details will be revealed about precisely where Prince Harry will serve or the exact details of his role will be revealed, because it is "potentially dangerous", the statement concluded.

(KMcA)


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