Prince Harry to Serve in Iraq
For the first time in 25 years a British Prince to see active duty.
It has been announced that Prince Harry, third in line to the British throne, will be posted to southern Iraq later this year.
For the first time in 25 years a member of the British Royal Family will serving on the front line in a combat zone. From Easter this year, Prince Harry will be deployed with the Blues and Royals regiment to southern Iraq for a 6 month tour of duty.
Prince Harry will carry out a normal troop commander’s role, which includes leading a troop of 11 men patrolling in Scimitar armored vehicles. The media have been asked not to report where in Iraq Prince Harry, and his Household Cavalry tank regiment will be deployed, and whether it will be on the front line. The Prince will face the same dangers and challenges as any other member of the forces.
Prince Harry, the 22 year old younger son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana follows in the steps of his uncle, Prince Andrew, who served as a helicopter pilot in the Falklands conflict in 1982. Prince Harry is third in line to the British throne; his father, Prince Charles and elder brother, Prince William, are the first and second in line respectively. Prince Harry, who is known in the army as Cornet Wales, has always made it clear that he wished to serve with his men on the frontline. There have even been reports that he threatened to leave the army if he were not allowed to serve in a war zone with his men. In an interview given by Prince Harry to mark his 21st birthday 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. That may sound very patriotic, but it's true."
This announcement has led to a spate of positive press about Prince Harry, in the past the press has often had the opportunity to concentrate on the young Prince’s more controversial antics, which have often eclipsed the more positive aspects of his career and good works.
The reporting in the British press has been generally supportive, supportive, and although concerns for the third in line have been expressed, so has admiration for Prince Harry’s commitment to serve with his men.
Whilst this has not been a controversial move – it is certainly almost a ‘no win’ situation. Prince Harry’s arrival in Iraq will no doubt act as a catalyst for renewed attacks by insurgents and the Prince himself is likely to be a key target. Therefore there will be a need for even greater security to protect not only Prince Harry, but also the men serving with him. This, at some stage, is likely to be questioned. However if Harry had not been allowed to go, so would questions be asked about his status within the Royal Family and his contribution to society.
The prince graduated from the military training school, Sandhurst, in April 2006 and qualified as an armored reconnaissance troop leader in October. Prince Harry’s regiment, the Blues and Royals, was formed in 1969 from an amalgamation of The Royal Horse Guards (The Blues) and The Royal Dragoons (The Royals), and can trace its roots back to the days of King Charles 2nd in 1661. More information about Prince Harry can be found on the official Prince of Wales website.
Further reading: The Royal Finances - Suite101 article discussing the finances of the British Royal Family.
