Prince Harry chooses regiment that could be sent to Iraq

By Anna Tomforde Jan 25, 2006, 17:17 GMT

London - Britain's Prince Harry is to join one of Britain's oldest and most prestigious army regiments whose duties range from protecting Queen Elizabeth to doing active service in trouble spots such as Iraq and Afghanistan, the royal palace said Wednesday.

Harry, the 21-year-old younger son of Prince Charles, is to join the Blues and Royals regiment of the Household Cavalry after completing his officer training at Sandhurst military academy in April.

He hopes to become an Armoured Reconnaissance Troop Leader at the forefront of Army operations, the palace said.

'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 said in an interview to mark his 21st birthday last September.

To underline the young prince's enthusiasm for a fighting role, the palace Wednesday released pictures of Harry in camouflage gear on exercise, bearing an assault rifle.

They show the Prince dressed in combats, his face covered in brown and green paint and his helmet disguised with tufts of grass.

On the end of his SA80 rifle is a yellow BFA - Blank Firing Attachment - which allows the weapon to fire blanks. The name badge 'Wales' is seen clearly sewn on to the front of his uniform.

Harry's older brother, Prince William, 23, started his officer training at Sandhurst earlier this month.

The decision, which had also been influenced by Harry's 'love for horses,' meant that the prince, third in line to the throne, would accompany his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, on foreign trips and take part in her annual Trooping the Colour birthday parade.

However, the Blues and Royals, one of the Army's most senior and oldest Cavalry regiments, were also likely to be sent to Afghanistan or Iraq in the future, the Defence Ministry said.

'It's fair to say that if his squadron goes to Iraq, he will probably go with it,' a ministry spokesman said.

The Cavalry are expected to be deployed to Iraq in the future.

There are two units within the Household Cavalry - the armoured division, with which Harry will train, and the mounted regiment which performs ceremonial duties.

Harry will follow in the footsteps of Andrew Parker Bowles, the ex-husband of his stepmother, the Duchess of Cornwall, who became commander of the Household Cavalry.

James Hewitt, a former lover of Harry's mother, the late Princess Diana, spent 17 years in the Household Cavalry and served during the first Gulf War in 1991.

Singer and ex-soldier James Blunt, whose single 'You're Beautiful' has topped the British charts for months, also served in the Lifeguards and was deployed to Kosovo.