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Prince Harry will serve in Iraq Prince Harry will serve in Iraq
(20 minutes later)
Prince Harry's regiment will be deployed to Iraq, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Clarence House have confirmed in a joint statement.Prince Harry's regiment will be deployed to Iraq, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Clarence House have confirmed in a joint statement.
His Blues and Royals regiment will serve in Iraq for six months as part of the latest deployments.His Blues and Royals regiment will serve in Iraq for six months as part of the latest deployments.
The prince will be the first senior royal to serve on the front line since Prince Andrew in the Falklands in 1982.The prince will be the first senior royal to serve on the front line since Prince Andrew in the Falklands in 1982.
While in Iraq, the prince will carry out "a normal troop commander's role", the statement said.While in Iraq, the prince will carry out "a normal troop commander's role", the statement said.
The Royal household has been consulted throughout Joint MoD and Clarence House statement Iraq deployment no surpriseThe Royal household has been consulted throughout Joint MoD and Clarence House statement Iraq deployment no surprise
This will involve "leading a troop of 12 men in four Scimitar armoured reconnaissance vehicles, each with a crew of three", the statement added. This will involve "leading a troop of 12 men in four Scimitar armoured reconnaissance vehicles, each with a crew of three" from the regiment's "A squadron", the statement added.
"The decision to deploy him has been a military one, made by Chief of General Staff, Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, in conjunction with Cornet Wales' commanding officer," it said."The decision to deploy him has been a military one, made by Chief of General Staff, Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, in conjunction with Cornet Wales' commanding officer," it said.
"The Royal household has been consulted throughout.""The Royal household has been consulted throughout."
Further details of exactly where Harry would serve, or his specific role, would not be released because such a move would be "potentially dangerous", the statement added.Further details of exactly where Harry would serve, or his specific role, would not be released because such a move would be "potentially dangerous", the statement added.
Defence Secretary Des Browne is expected to make a written statement on the deployment to the Commons later. Sandhurst graduation
Prince Harry graduated from Sandhurst in April last year and qualified as an armoured reconnaissance troop leader in October. In a written statement to MPs, Defence Secretary Des Browne said two squadrons from Harry's Household Cavalry Regiment would be deployed with the rotation of troops to take place in May and June.
The lead formation of British troops, currently 19 Light Brigade, would be replaced by 1 Mechanised Brigade, supported by Prince's Harry's regiment, the statement added.
HAVE YOUR SAY He is in the Army and wants to be treated like any other junior officer Kevin Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY He is in the Army and wants to be treated like any other junior officer Kevin Send us your comments
Prince Harry graduated from Sandhurst in April last year and qualified as an armoured reconnaissance troop leader in October.
Known to colleagues as Troop Commander Wales, he is able to lead reconnaissance units known as the Army's "eyes and ears".Known to colleagues as Troop Commander Wales, he is able to lead reconnaissance units known as the Army's "eyes and ears".
It comes after Prime Minister Tony Blair told MPs that 1,600 British troops would return from Iraq within the next few months.It comes after Prime Minister Tony Blair told MPs that 1,600 British troops would return from Iraq within the next few months.
He said the 7,100 serving troops in the south of Iraq around Basra would be cut to 5,500 soon, with hopes that 500 more will leave by late summer.He said the 7,100 serving troops in the south of Iraq around Basra would be cut to 5,500 soon, with hopes that 500 more will leave by late summer.
Prince Andrew, Harry's uncle, was a helicopter pilot in the Falklands conflict.Prince Andrew, Harry's uncle, was a helicopter pilot in the Falklands conflict.