World | UK

Prince Harry will serve in Iraq 'over the next few months'

Britain's Prince Harry, who is third in line to the throne, is being deployed to Iraq where he will become the first British royal to serve in a war zone for 25 years.

  • Reuters
  • Published: 00:00 February 23, 2007
  • Gulf News

  • Prince Harry is being deployed to Iraq where he will become the first British royal to serve in a war zone for 25 years.
  • Image Credit: EPA

London: Britain's Prince Harry, who is third in line to the throne, is being deployed to Iraq where he will become the first British royal to serve in a war zone for 25 years.

A defence ministry spokesman said yesterday the red-haired prince would be sent to Iraq with his 'A' Squadron of the Blues and Royals regiment "over the next few months" as part of the latest British troop rotation.

But the deployment of the younger son of the late Princess Diana may be a major security headache for military commanders as the prince could be a target for insurgents and a magnet for suicide bombers.

"This is like President Bush sending a son to the frontline. The decision is both dangerous and courageous at the same time," said Evening Standard royal correspondent Robert Jobson.

"It is a success for Harry but he has become the number one target for insurgents."

Harry could be the first member of the royal family to face combat since his uncle, Prince Andrew, flew helicopters in the 1982 Falklands War. Harry's great-grandfather, King George VI, saw action in the First World War.

The announcement comes a day after Britain said it would be withdrawing almost a quarter of its 7,100 troops from Iraq in coming months. But British soldiers would remain in the country into 2008 if Iraq wanted them to provide support and training.

  • Rate this article
  • Average reader rating (0 votes) 0 Stars
Tools

Emailing an article to friend is a simple way to share a news item. Your friend will receive an email with your name and email address as well any personal message you choose to send.

The information you provide on this page will not be used to send unsolicited emails.

This service is not intended to encourage spam, and action may be taken against individuals who maliciously enter personal details of another individual.

Share this article

UK

  1. Tough love moulds young minds best

  2. Wanted man sends in replacement photo

  3. Two British ticketholders share £90m jackpot

  4. Mum dies trying to save son from blaze

  5. Meeting the Queen with pen tucked behind ear!

  6. Brown under fire over Afghanistan policies

  7. Politician could get time in prison after admitting expenses scam

  8. Call for scientific advisers to be free from interference

All articles in United Kingdom

More from World

Gulf News
Popular in World

More from world

News Editor's choice