Reports: No Iraq For Prince Harry

U.K. Military Changes Mind About Sending Royal Into Battle, A Decision Sure To Disappoint The Prince

(CBS/AP)  Britain's Prince Harry will not be sent to Iraq, the British Broadcasting Corp. and Sky News reported Wednesday.

Britain's Ministry of Defense had long said the decision would be kept under review amid concerns for the security of Harry, a second lieutenant, and other soldiers serving with him. Prince Harry is a tank commander trained to lead a 12-man team in four armored reconnaissance vehicles.

Sky News reported that the military has reconsidered its decision to send Prince Harry, the younger son of the late Princess Diana of Wales, into battle — at least for now — after weighing the possible risks of sending the third in line to the British throne into a war zone that seems unlikely to become less dangerous in the near future.

No confirmation of the change in plans from the Ministry of Defense was forthcoming.

Al Qaeda-linked insurgents had vowed to do all in their power to capture or kill Harry if he ended up in Iraq, and most British observers have agreed that if such a thing happened, it would be a huge propaganda boost for the insurgents, and a huge morale hit for the U.K.

Harry has insisted throughout months of debate in Britain that he did want to serve alongside his fellow soldiers, wherever duty should call.

The prince was trained to command a squadron of troops in armored Stryker vehicles, and is still officially destined to lead such a team on reconnaissance missions along Iraq's southern border.

Friends of Prince Harry said several weeks ago that he would not abandon his post in the Army if commanders decided to sideline him, but that he would be terribly disappointed with the decision.

[talkingham]

Nice to see some country's royalty actually do earn their stripes. Not like the financial silver spoon crowd in the US.

[ramos937]

While credit has to go to Prince Henry for his attitude, something is wrong with the Brit general.
Henry will need, requested or not, special security from the bad guys. His unit will be targeted. All of this puts the guys around him at great peril. What is the Brit general thinking about?

[sero5]

There are members of Congress who have kids in Iraq. I believe Sen. James Webb is one of them. When U.S. troops do pullout, the Iraqi government will fall to chaos of militia groups and Al-Qaeda. Iraq will be Osama's new home.

[itwasntme000]

Does this kid actually think that the iraq
" war on oil " is actually a good cause to risk you life on???
think mcfly

[whatithink-2009]

If he doesn't go now, it will appear that the UK is more concerned about his life than that of the normal soldier. This would not be a good thing for troop morale, so he must go at this point...in my opinion.

[jabberwock11]

LOL, I'm sure all the guys around him are going to love having him serving there. As I remember the British used to paint what looked like a target on their World War I planes. They should resurrect this practice for their soldiers just the complete this idiocy.

[gwagener]

ramos937,
The man's name is Prince Harry, not Prince Henry.
I doubt Harry will ever set foot off the British base the whole time he is there.

[konabike]

Not a good idea for him to go. He will return home in a coffin. The head of the British army should think twice.

[honest_news]

Mistake Number 1: The British government announces that Prince Harry will go to Iraq.

Mistake Number 2: The British government publicly waffles over Mistake Number 1.

Mistake Number 3: The British government affirms Mistake Number 1.

Mistakes 4, 5 and 6 will happen when Harry lands in Iraq.

All I can say is "Big Deal"!!!

[keykey6]

I am glad that Prince Harry wants to serve his country, but it is a bad idea that he is going to Iraq. Everyone should be prepared for him to coming back in a coffin. Once he is over there all of his troops will be in danger when they find out he is over there. If they find Prince Harry, he maybe held for hostage or be killed.

[hawksprings]

The British military should never have told the world where Harry is going to be stationed. How dumb. Would they tell us where any of their other soldiers are stationed if we called up and asked?

He's going to be a priority target for the terrorists, and I'm sure they'd rather capture him than kill him. And if he gets captured it's going to be awful.

[mountainzen]

Maybe Prince Harry will meet Princess Jasmine and they will live happily ever after in lovely Iraq.

[inventagod2]

Of course, Harry will fight alongside the Bu$h twins...
I hope the Prince doesn't pay for the Bu$h Folly.

[honest_news]

mountainZen --

LMAO

[lars008-2009]

why is it in the new millennium does the world still think they need royals???

get a job royals, the world does not want to support your lazy arses anymore...

is it prince harry or prince randy??? lol

[michellem99-2009]

I do feel HRH Henry, Prince of Wales should serve his nation, duty to Her Majesty,The Queen and serve with out press braodcasting his whereabouts.He ought go with his unit. He wants to go. So let him.

[lil_d3vil]

If you don't want to go to war...
ANY WAR legal or illegal...you DON'T sign up for military service as you can get called up for action at any time.

If the new recruit's don't know this by now maybe the recruitment forms should have that set in writing as it would look like many are too stupid to figure that out on their own.

And Harry is set to see action as it was announced that he will be a tank commander.

The Spare heir may be coming home in a box as the Brits should have kept this under wraps as so not to put a target on the guys back. No doubt they will be looking specifically for the British flag now.

[krenz4]

I think it is the height of irresponsibility to broadcast that Harry is going to iraq as a tank commander. Hopefully, the press wont be further stupid, by meeting him at his plane when he lands there. It is not only his life they are jepordizing by making such a fuss about this, but the lives of those who are going to be anywhere near him. Remember the marine landing in the Africn nation where the press met them with cameras and lights blazing? It cost LIVES. I just hope the press remembers that this is war and real lives are at stake, including Harry's and show some kind of common sense.

[opfor311]

why is it in the new millennium does the world still think they need royals???

Posted by lars008

Hey, lars008; in this part of the midwest, we love the Royals. We do wish that KC would win a few games, but we still love them.

[michellem99-2009]

I use to live in KC and love baseball. As for his HRH going into cambat it does not help that they put his face in the press. He will serve without the pless having a field day. I support the troops so therefore the press should let them do their dutirs.

[grammawhamma]

I think it is noble that he wants to serve his country. Unfortunatly, I think the press just doomed him by putting a bulls eye on his forehead.

[lars008-2009]

Hey, lars008; in this part of the midwest, we love the Royals. We do wish that KC would win a few games, but we still love them.
Posted by Opfor311 at 07:25 PM : Apr 30, 2007

hahaha i do too... just not the other kind... hahaha

[flht316]

i think the prince is very brave to go and if he needs help i would go with him thrid in line to the throne if any thing happens to him it will be tragic to say the least the press was as usual stupid in reporting his name tag idiots just have to do all you can to put down any thing honarable and good in the world the prince can reach me at [e-mail] may god protect you from the true infidels