The prince's deployment was subject to a news blackout

 

Prince Harry has been fighting the Taleban on the front line in Afghanistan, the MoD has confirmed.

 

Harry, 23, who is third in line to the throne, has spent the last 10 weeks serving in Helmand Province. The prince joked about his nickname "the bullet magnet", but said: "I finally get the chance to do the soldiering that I want to do."

 

The deployment was subject to a news blackout deal, which broke down after being 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. 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."

 

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Prince Harry had been an "exemplary solider". The whole of Britain will be proud of the outstanding service he is giving," he said. "I want to thank Prince Harry and all of our service personnel for their contribution and service."

 

'No showers'

 

The prince spent Christmas Day in a former Taleban madrassa, sleeping on a camp bed and having to wash outdoors. In an interview while 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. 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. 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 Gurkhas 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."

 

The Prince of Wales's communications secretary, Paddy Harverson, said: "Prince Harry is very proud to serve his country on operations alongside his fellow soldiers and to do the job he has been trained for."

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7269743.stm

All I can say is stupid Americans for breaking the story :(

^Yeah. Stupid media. *shakes fist*

 

Glad he got his wish- will probably do him some good...providing he survives it. Hope he and his group are all ok in spite of the leak.

 

Have to say, I'm really impressed at the UK tabloids for keeping their mouths shut this long.

They report that he's gone home... he's probably landed in Iraq.

hope he can survive with loads of bullets and bombs

One of the news channels said his life is in even even even more danger now his cover's blown, scary.

One of the news channels said his life is in even even even more danger now his cover's blown, scary.

 

Hence why the MOD has bought him home.

Shame he feels he's fighting a just war.

 

We should be ashamed. Truely.

They are working hard at getting Afgan back to normal, (attempting to) drive the Taleban out, allow the locals some freedom.

 

Iraq is different, that was Bush's war to finish what his daddy didn't finish 10 years earlier.

No. Months before september 11th, 2001, Indian as well as Pakistani diplomats had gone public with the fact that US special forces were massing in Kazakhstan preparing for a full-scale invasion of Afghanistan. So the US Government was massing troops outside Afghanistan, publically getting ready for an invasion right before September 11th.

 

We should be fighting to get the criminals out of our government and our lives.

 

(PS David, "Custom")