Royal Watch News

Prince Harry won't return to Afghanistan

Jan 25, 2013, 12:02 GMT

Prince Harry

Britain's Prince Harry is not expected to return to Afghanistan again.

The royal - who returned to British soil after a 20-week tour of the Helmand province earlier this week - and his squadron aren't expected to be called back to service in Afghanistan for nearly two years, by which time British troops will have withdrawn from the war-torn country.

A military source explained to The Daily Telegraph newspaper: 'There are five Apache squadrons and because Prince Harry's squadron has just returned, it would not be due to go back for another 20 months, by which time combat troops will have pulled out.

'It's highly unlikely that he will return for any other reason, though it is theoretically possible that he could be asked to go back if another co-pilot falls ill or due to other unforeseen circumstances. You can never say never.'

Troops are expected to withdraw from Afghanistan at the end of 2014, based on an official NATO deadline.

Meanwhile, Harry, 28, is said to be on a one-month break from army duties following his second tour of duty. The prince is expected to report to Wattisham airfield in Suffolk where he will train to be promoted from co-pilot to pilot.