Harry's security flies to Iraq

Feb 19, 2007, 13:40 GMT

Britain's Prince Harry's top bodyguard has flown to Iraq to prepare for the young royal's arrival.

Elite security officers have been in secret talks about how to keep the prince safe in war zones plagued with suicide bombers and roadside blasts.

The news comes after months of discussion as to whether Harry should be deployed to the war-torn country with his fellow soldiers from the Blues and Royal regiment, during which time he threatened to quit if he was left behind.

Senior officials are still considering keeping the prince out of highly dangerous areas by giving him a job inside headquarters.

An army source told Britain's Daily Mail newspaper: "Harry has always wanted to be treated as an ordinary soldier and I think people respect him for that.

"He's not an ordinary soldier of course, but it looks like he's got his way over Iraq - assuming his unit is sent.

"Frankly, I don't envy his commanders. Losing any soldier under your command is awful. Lose the third in line to the throne and you'd unfortunately go down in history as well."

Harry's unit, 'A' squadron of the Blues and Royals regiment, was unofficially warned last week that it could expect a six-month deployment to Southern Iraq in April.

The 22-year-old prince is known as Troop Commander Wales by his regiment and has trained to command 11 soldiers and four Scimitar tanks.

If deployed, he will be the first member of the British Royal Family to serve on military operations since Prince Andrew flew helicopters in the Falklands 25 years ago

(C) BANG Media International