Prince Harry fighting???
By jhl930
@jhl930 (3601)
United States
February 28, 2008 1:06pm CST
Prince Harry has been fighting the Taleban on the front line in Afghanistan, the MoD has confirmed.
Harry, 23, who is third in line to the throne, has spent the last 10 weeks serving in Helmand Province.
The prince joked about his nickname "the bullet magnet", but said: "I finally get the chance to do the soldiering that I want to do."
The deployment was subject to a news blackout deal, which broke down after being leaked by foreign media.
Chief of the General Staff Sir Richard Dannatt, who is head of the British Army, said he was disappointed the news had leaked.
It's very nice to be sort of a normal person for once
Prince Harry
Harry relates experience
'As normal as it gets'
Harry on Afghan life
In a statement, he said: "I am very disappointed that foreign websites have decided to run this story without consulting us.
"This is in stark contrast to the highly responsible attitude that the whole of the UK print and broadcast media, along with a small number overseas, who have entered into an understanding with us over the coverage of Prince Harry on operations."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Prince Harry had been an "exemplary solider".
"The whole of Britain will be proud of the outstanding service he is giving," he said.
"I want to thank Prince Harry and all of our service personnel for their contribution and service."
'No showers'
The prince spent Christmas Day in a former Taleban madrassa, sleeping on a camp bed and having to wash outdoors.
In an interview while in Helmand Province, Harry - a member of the Household Cavalry - talked about life as a soldier on the front line.
"I haven't really had a shower for four days, I haven't washed my clothes for a week.
"It's very nice to be sort of a normal person for once, I think it's about as normal as I'm going to get.
"I am still a little bit conscious of the fact that if I show my face too much in and around the area - luckily there's no civilians around here because it's...a no-man's land.
Prince Harry is very proud to serve his country on operations alongside his fellow soldiers
Prince of Wales's spokesman
In pictures: On the front line
Dannatt: Statement in full
"But I think that if, up north, when I do go up there, if I do go on patrols in amongst the locals, I'll still be very wary about the fact that I do need to keep my face slightly covered just on the off-chance that I do get recognised, which will put other guys in danger.
"The Gurkhas think it's hysterical how I am called the 'bullet magnet', but they've yet to see why."
The deployment comes after the prince's planned tour to Iraq last year had to be cancelled because of a security risk.
Speaking ahead of the tour, Harry spoke of his relief over the mission.
He said he felt: "a bit of excitement, a bit of phew, finally, [to] get the chance to actually do the soldiering that I wanted to do ever since I joined really."
The Prince of Wales's communications secretary, Paddy Harverson, said: "Prince Harry is very proud to serve his country on operations alongside his fellow soldiers and to do the job he has been trained for."
Who would have ever thought that a prince would be fighting..did you???
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7269743.stm
2 responses
@chris1314 (784)
•
29 Feb 08
I havn't had time to read all of the story, but i have caught it on the news recently, i think that just because he is royalty it doesnt matter, he shouldnt be pulled out because there is a chance he might become a target (I know he is thrid to the thrown so he might attract a bit more attention) But, surely at the first sniff of 'maybe' danger for him, he shouldnt be pulled out, thats why he joined, to fight for his country. I think that taking him out makes all the other brave soldiers look 'less important than him' in my eyes they are all the same. what they do is very very brave and you wouldnt get me doing it. what about all the rest of the soliers which are still in there and might loose their life at any moment in time. I dont think that it is right he was withdrawn. He should still be there with the rest of his squadren. Fighting for what he believes in, and the main reason he joined the army.
Chris
@pgainey31959 (26)
• United States
29 Feb 08
To me this only goes to show you that even people that are as they put it ROYALTY, or DISTINGUISHED, or a PERSONAL DESCENDANT TO THE THRONE, can in fact be normal, have normal feelings, and normal thought's, as we all knew they could.