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Prince Hottie Heading to Iraq
Thursday February 22, 2007
British Ministry of Defence
Thursday February 22, 2007
British Ministry of Defence
Prince Harry of Britain will be sent to Iraq to command a tank unit, the Defense Ministry confirmed Thursday.
According to CNN, Harry – who is third in line for the throne after his father Charles and brother William -- is expected to be deployed with his Royals and Blues regiment near the southern city of Basra.
British officials have indicated that Harry, 22, could be kept out of situations that could jeopardize his colleagues amid fears he would be a prize target -- or "bullet magnet" -- for insurgents.
However, Harry, who graduated last year from Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, has insisted he does not want special treatment.
"There is no way I am going to put myself through Sandhurst and then sit on my arse back home while my boys are out fighting for their country," he said on his 21st birthday.
Britain's Press Association quoted a regimental source as saying that Harry is "over the moon" at the news.
Clarence House, which speaks on behalf of the prince issued a joint statement saying:
"We can confirm today that Prince Harry will deploy to Iraq later this year in command of a troop from 'A Squadron' of the Household Cavalry Regiment.
"Whilst in Iraq Cornet Wales (Harry's regimental title) will carry out a normal troop commander's role, involving leading a troop of 12 men in four Scimitar armored reconnaissance vehicles, each with a crew of three.
"The decision to deploy him has been a military one... The royal household has been consulted throughout."
The statement also warned the press that speculating on Harry's exact location while he's serving could pose a security risk to the prince and his fellow troops.
"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."
Talk to Us: Should Harry get special treatment in Iraq?
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Posted by Noelle Hancock at 9:57 am ET
36 Comments
8:43 PM
ICan'tFeelMyLegs! Says:
3:59 PM
jimmy Says:
Wow, I'm impressed. Now let's see Bush send his daughters to war.
2:36 PM
Anonymous Says:
I think its about time he steps out of the shadow of his brother.
2:28 PM
alaskan_chic Says:
12:32, paris hilton isn't royalty. at least not that i know of. she's an heiress, but that's it. but i do agree with you. some of our famous and well-to-do celebrities should try fighting for their own country instead of saying how horrible we are, that we should never go to war, our leader is horrible, this country sucks. ya know what? if you don't like it, then LEAVE. cause none of us want to hear your belly-aching. you're not starving or hurtin for money, so shut up. maybe if they all went into the military and had to see and endure what our soldiers do, they would all shut up and this world would be a much quieter place. but you know they never will, and you know they'll never move, no matter how much they hate this country, because they'll never get the recognition anywhere else that they get in this country. and it's sad that our country has gotten so celebrity-ized. i'm glad there are some royalty/celebrity somewhere that believe it is an honor to fight for your country....wow, ok, i'm done.
2:09 PM
F@KE Says:
Impression of him to go, as it is of anyone. I see both sides of the being treated normally and not argument. I'm sure that anybody would love to count him among their death counts and would try their hardest to do so. Then again, I see how he would want to be normal and treated like everyone else. But he does need higher security, just like when he is anywhere in public.
12:48 PM
Stina Says:
I dont support this war however I support all the troops from every country that is entering or in Iraq. Good luck Harry my prayers and support are with you!
12:32 PM
Anonymous Says:
Kudos to Harry. He even said himself that he doesn't want special treatment just because he's British royalty. I think this is extremely cool of him. He could've just partied all the time but he's decided to do something meaningful with his life. Paris Hilton should take note of this.
12:26 PM
Anonymous Says:
What choices do they have, really. If they let him fight, they are risking the Prince's safety. If they don't let him fight, everyone cries special treatment. It's a no-win situation.
12:23 PM
alaskan_chic Says:
12:03 lol :)
12:22 PM
alaskan_chic Says:
well, if the news media would keep their noses out of it, the "enemy" probably wouldn't know that he's even going over there! way to go, as usual. and while he shouldn't get special treatment, there should be extra precautions taken simply because he would be a prime target for a kidnapping and/or bomb. let's face it, he is a royal prince and whatever number in line to the throne. and those kind of people are the ones terrorists target. and i'm not saying just protect him because he's a prince, but his whole company will need a little extra protection.
12:07 PM
Melissa Says:
Harry has trained for this just like any other soldier, he considers this an honor. our youth in the US could learn a lot from this young man. He is a Prince and was born to wealth and priveledge yet he considers serving his country an honor. God be with you sweet Prince
12:03 PM
Anonymous Says:
11:59 wins the prize for the longest run-on sentence EVER
11:59 AM
Anonymous Says:
harry knows what he is in for if he didnt he wouldnt have joined the military secondly it is a voulenterr force irregardless of his feelings about the war or not that is his duty and he will deployed with his unit over there i give him props for being a strong person to put himself out there and serve his country cause alot of people wouldnt have the balls big enough to do what he is doing period!!!!if you agree or disagree with what is going on in iraqi and aphganistan you need to SUPPORT OUR TROOPS NO MATTER WHAT cause if it wasnt for them you wouldnt have the right to speak your mind at all or the freedoms you have at all god bless all our troops and god speed to them!!!!
11:57 AM
Anonymous Says:
Thank God he grew into those ears...Harry really is a good looking guy.
11:45 AM
CS Says:
I think it is a bit crazy to send the boy over there when Britain is planning on pulling troops out by the end of next year.
WHile I realize Harrry just wants to do his civic duty, I do not think he realizes what he is in for.
And I hope that while he is serving over there the media will leave him alone so as not to put him in any greater danger than he already would be in.
11:34 AM
Anonymous Says:
I meant "Harry is NOT"..not "Harry is now". Sheesh...
11:34 AM
Anonymous Says:
First off, Prince William is not ALLOWED to be shipped off to a war zone due to the fact that he is in line to the throne. Harry is now. Harry has stated he doesn't want to be treated any differently than "his boys" that he's being shipped out with..and I commend him for that. And to whomever said he's turned out to be a "hottie"..DITTO!
11:25 AM
Anonymous Says:
Britain is pulling out of the war. They will have all their soldiers out of Iraq by the end of this year. I doubt Harry will fight in the war.
11:09 AM
Lisa Says:
Hence my reason for saying that Harry should be held in higher regard for what he has to do. I know he won't be given the crown but he should be given the respect.
11:01 AM
Teresa Says:
What is true is that Harry has always been pushed down, just for the fact that he was born second. Years ago there was a magazine (I forget which one) about the boys, and the title was "the heir and the spare". Which about says it all for their lots in life.
10:59 AM
Lisa Says:
The trolls are relentless......GO PLAY IN TRAFFIC!
10:58 AM
Lisa Says:
Teresa, he should be held up higher than his brother because he has been deemed "less important than Wills" due to his position on the totem poll. Sadly he gets to fight in the war because of his ranking and his brother does not.
10:57 AM
penny Says:
A - i'll always be your friend! :) zits and all!! hahahahahahaha! DOWN WITH TROLLS!
10:54 AM
A Says:
10:52 wasn't me of course. But that's ok, penny you'll be my friend, right?
10:53 AM
Teresa Says:
It's a no-win situation for Harry. If he gets extra security, that could expose his location and make him an easier target.
10:52 AM
A Says:
MY ZIT HURTS
10:51 AM
Anonymous Says:
BIG AL
10:51 AM
A Says:
Mornin' penny. You're right, Harry would look pretty good alright! ;)
10:50 AM
Canada Girl` Says:
I think that first of all, it is incredibly brave of Prince Harry to do this. He is setting a standard for the nation and is showing just how patriotic he truly is. I am very proud of him. Secondly, I also feel that he should not be given extra treatment because it would be more dangerous for him. He needs to be just another run-of-the-mill soldier and that way he'll blend in and won't become a target. But honestly, congrats, Prince Harry! You deserve recognition for the sacrifice you're making!
10:47 AM
Dani Says:
I dont think he should be given any special treatment. He went through all of the training, just like any normal person. Why would he go through all of that, like he said, just to sit on his ass? I wish him the best of luck overseas!
