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PRINCE HARRY ON FRONT LINE IN AFGHANISTAN

Prince Harry holds his SA80 in Helmand province Southern Afghanistan

Friday February 29,2008

By Emily Garnham for express.co.uk

Comment Speech Bubble Have your say(15)

PRINCE HARRY has been secretly fighting the Taliban on the front line in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence confirmed today.

The 23-year-old Household Cavalry officer has spent the past 10 weeks serving in war-ravaged Helmand Province.

The deployment had been cloaked in secrecy under a news blackout deal agreed across the UK media to prevent details reaching the Taliban and endangering Harry and his comrades.

But the arrangement broke down today after news was leaked out on the US website the Drudge Report.

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WATCH OUR VIDEO OF HARRY ON THE FRONT LINE
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Prince Harry talks to a Gurkha after firing a 50mm machine gun at Taliban fighters

As part of the deal a group of journalists had visited the prince in Helmand on condition that details would only be publicised once he was safely back in the UK.

The deal was arranged after Harry’s planned tour to Iraq last year had to be cancelled because of a security risk sparked by publicity.

Chief of the General Staff Sir Richard Dannatt, who is head of the British Army, said he was disappointed the news had leaked.

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SEE OUR PRINCE HARRY IN AFGHANISTAN PIC GALLERY
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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 of overseas, who have entered into an understanding with us over the coverage of Prince Harry on operations.

“After a lengthy period of discussion between the MoD and the editors of regional, national and international media, the editors took the commendable attitude to restrain their coverage.

Prince Harry sits with other soldiers at an observation post in Afghanistan

“I would like to thank them for that and I do appreciate that once the story was in the public domain, they had no choice but to follow suit.

“What the last two months have shown is that it is perfectly possible for Prince Harry to be employed just the same as other Army officers of his rank and experience.

“His conduct on operations in Afghanistan has been exemplary.

Prince Harry sits on his camp bed in his accommodation in Afghanistan

“He has been fully involved in operations and has run the same risks as everyone else in his battlegroup.

“In common with all of his generation in the Army today, he is a credit to the nation.

“In deciding to deploy him to Afghanistan, it was my judgment that with an understanding with the media not to broadcast his whereabouts, the risk in doing was manageable.

Harry has been serving on the front line for 10 weeks

“Now that the story is in the public domain, the Chief of Defence Staff and I will take advice from the operational commanders about whether his deployment can continue.

“I now appeal to the media to restrain from attempting to report Prince Harry’s every move and return to our understanding.”

***SHOULD A ROYAL BE FIGHTING ON THE FRONT LINE? HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW***

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OH DEAR

29.02.08, 11:02pm

I have never had a comment removed before.

I must calm myself before posting !

• Posted by: abuela • Report Comment

PRINCE HARRY - IN THE FRONT LINE ??

29.02.08, 11:58am

Well those photo's look more like an article getting ready for Hallo magazine.
So Prince Harry may or may not have been in the front line but after '10 weeks' maybe he's had enough and this was rather a convenient 'leak', just a thought !
Anyway, what the hell are we doing out in Afganistan ? Risking the lives of our soldiers (including Harry).What is the point of it ?Who cares about Afganistan and the ragamuffin taliban.

• Posted by: lioned • Report Comment

COMMENT REMOVED

29.02.08, 11:45am

Removed

• Posted by: abuela • Report Comment

FRONT LINE???????????

29.02.08, 11:06am

There is NO WAY, I will believe Prince Harry was anyway near the front line. He'd been tucked away somewhere very far from the action. Its PR for the Royal Family, nothing more, nothing less ..Btw, how are the bars and night clubs over there in Afghanistan?

• Posted by: aforeigner • Report Comment

IS HE FIGHTING FOR BRITAIN?

29.02.08, 9:29am

Is he sure he is on the `right side`?After all is`nt he fighting for PC `Britain`?He should therefore according to PC logic be fighting for the Taliban to ensure `fairness`,`equality`,`tolerance`,inclusiveness`.How the PC lovvies who rule us would purr with pride if Prince Harry could express his `caring feelings` for the `human rights` of the Taliban.Perhaps Harry could arrange a photo opportunity with Bin Laden to express his `sympathy`,` understanding` and solidarity with all oppressed Muslims in Britain.Its so wonderful to be so `inclusive` and so `tolerant`

• Posted by: hugahoodie • Report Comment

PRINCE HARRY ON FRONT LINE IN AFGHANISTAN

29.02.08, 7:08am

As an American from a family whose tree extends to Britain, I find it a comfort to see a British Royal killing Islamist. Thank God for him and the Royal family. The Queen has sent her greatest treasure, her blood!

• Posted by: RickS • Report Comment