Prince Harry To Serve In Iraq

Britain's Ministry of Defense announced today that Prince Harry's (Cornet Wales, as Prince Harry is known in the Army) military regiment will be deployed in Iraq.

The 22-year-old son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana is third in line to the British throne.

Harry would be the first British royal sent into combat in 25 years. He graduated from the British Royal Military Academy in 2006 and is a troop leader of an armored reconnaissance unit.

Copyright (c) 2006. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org

Deployment of HRH Prince Harry to Iraq

Whilst in Iraq, Cornet Wales, as Prince Harry is known in the Army, will carry out a normal troop commander's role, involving leading a troop of 12 men in four Scimitar armoured reconnaissance vehicles, each with a crew of three.

The decision to deploy him has been a military one, made by The Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt, in conjunction with Cornet Wales' commanding officer. The Royal Household has been consulted throughout.

Speculation about precisely where Cornet Wales will serve, or the exact details of his role, is potentially dangerous. The Ministry of Defence and Clarence House are writing to ask all media organisations to respect this matter of operational security so that Cornet Wales can undertake a normal tour of duty, which is his express wish and that of the Army. - Britain's Ministry of Defense

Teaser

Britain's Ministry of Defense announced today that Prince Harry's military regiment will be deployed in Iraq.

Body Text

The 22-year-old son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana is third in line to the British throne.

Harry would be the first British royal sent into combat in 25 years. He graduated from the British Royal Military Academy in 2006 and is a troop leader of an armored reconnaissance unit.

Copyright (c) 2006. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org