Prince Harry will be deployed with his unit to Iraq, the head of the British Army said today.

General Sir Richard Dannatt said he had made the decision himself but stressed it would be kept under review.

He called for an end to the "somewhat frenzied media speculation around this issue... in the interests of all our people deployed in Iraq at this time."

After the bloodiest month yet for British troops in Iraq, speculation intensified over whether the presence of the British royal would endanger his fellow troops.

Gen Dannatt, who announced in February the Prince would serve in the Iraq, said today: "I, as chief of the general staff, will take the decision and have taken the decision as to whether he should or should not deploy.

"And I do so as chief of the general staff and having full command of every member of the Army including Prince Harry.

"Second, the decision has been taken he will deploy. Third, I will of course keep that decision continually under review and if circumstances are such that I change that decision, I will make a further statement."

Gen Dannatt said the decision had been taken after the "widest possible consultation."

Harry, 22, is a second lieutenant in the British army and trained tank commander. His regiment, the Blues and Royals, is due to be deployed in Iraq in the next few weeks.

Clarence House, Prince Charles' London office, would not comment on the general's statement.

His planned deployment next month comes after the death of 12 servicemen, including two on April 19 who were doing the same job the royal officer was expected to take up on his six-month tour.

Last week a Shia militia commander, Abu Mujtaba, was reported to have said: "One of our aims is to capture Harry. We have people inside the British bases to inform us when he will arrive." But the prince's commanders dismissed the threats as "cheap propaganda".

Prince Harry, or Cornet Wales as he is known to his regiment, has always said he wants to lead his 11-strong team and their four Scimitar reconnaissance vehicles on the frontline.

In an interview to mark his 21st birthday, he insisted: "There's no way I'm going to put myself through Sandhurst and then sit on my arse back home while my boys are out fighting for their country."

Harry would become the first royal to serve in a war zone since his uncle, Prince Andrew, flew as a helicopter pilot in the Falklands conflict with Argentina in 1982.



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Being Irish, I despise the British Royal Family and all that it stands for. Bunch of spoiled, oppressive leaches if you ask me. Having said that, I've gotta give this kid credit. He's been itching to get over there and do his part for months. He could have gotten out of it easily. At least one of the Windsors has a pair.

Given the continuous disgraces his parents brought upon him his only way to save face would be to serve in the armed forces.
On the bright side, if he becomes a casualty of war, he will bear the distinct mark of being the first member of his family to do a goddamn thing for his country.

so when are the Bush Twins shipping out?

Mmm... Bush twins...

Quiet down you bunch of micks

Everywhere this kid goes, he'll have at a minimum 5-7 special forces on the parimeter. Helo's in the air, etc. It will be a fucking three ring circus.

Godspeed, Harry.

Doesn't this make it an official Crusade now? It's about time, go get 'em, Royals!

If the Royals want a quick fix to the 'Is James Hewitt Harry's father?' question, then there's no better place for Harry to get killed than Iraq...car accidents and overdoses raise questions, people getting killed during frontline combat less so.

I hope he comes back alive, simply because he's a fellow Arsenal fan.