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Prince Harry in Taleban fighting | Prince Harry in Taleban fighting |
(10 minutes later) | |
Prince Harry has been fighting the Taleban on the front line in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. | Prince Harry has been fighting the Taleban on the front line in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. |
Harry, 23, who is third in line to the throne, has spent the last 10 weeks serving in Helmand Province. | Harry, 23, who is third in line to the throne, has spent the last 10 weeks serving in Helmand Province. |
"I finally get the chance to do the soldiering that I want to do," the prince said before he left. | |
The deployment was subject to a news blackout deal, but broke down when leaked by foreign media. | The deployment was subject to a news blackout deal, but broke down when 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. | 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' | |
In a statement, he said: "I am very disappointed that foreign websites have decided to run this story without consulting us. | 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." | "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." |
'Bullet magnet' | |
In an interview in Helmand Province, Harry - a member of the Household Cavalry - talked about life as a soldier on the front line. | In an interview 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. | "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. | |
PrinceHarry is very proud to serve his country on operations alongside his fellowsoldiers Prince of Wales's spokesman class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7269841.stm">In pictures: On the front line | |
"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 Ghurkas 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." | 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: "PrinceHarry is very proud to serve his country on operations alongside his fellowsoldiers and to do the job he has been trained for." |