Update: Prince Harry chosen to go to Iraq

Updated on May 16th:People is reporting that following various security threats to the prince, Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt, has decided not to send the young royal to Iraq, saying,

There have been a number of specific threats, some reported, and some not reported, which relate directly to Prince Harry as an individual. These threats place not only him but also those around him a degree of risk that I now deem unacceptable. I know Prince Harry will be extremely disappointed and his soldiers will miss his presence in Iraq.

Originally posted on April 30th:Prince Harry, the youngest son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Di, has been handpicked to join a combat unit in Iraq. The head of the British army, Gen. Sir Richard Dannat,  takes responsibility for choosing Prince Harry, and hopes his public statement will put to the rest the constant media speculation about the young royals’ possible deployment, saying,

The decision has been taken by myself that he will deploy in due course. I would urge that the somewhat frenzied media activity surrounding this particular story should cease in the interests of the overall security of all our people deployed in Iraq.

 

Dannat says the decision comes after much consideration concerning extra threats to the Prince’s safety in a war. Military officials were afraid that he may become a target for Iraqi insurgents and endanger his fellow soldiers by just being there.

While acknowledging the possibility of extra threats to the Prince, Dannat says the decision to deploy Harry will remain under review in case anything arises that causes further worry for officials.The 22-year-old second lieutenant will join his regiment, The Blues and Royals, for a six-month tour of duty in the next few weeks.  Harry, a 2006 graduate of the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, is a tank commander.

Source/ Photo Credit: Yahoo News

Comments

Although I do not agree with this war, I will say I find it honorable a thing to do for your country. Now, lets see if the Bush twins are next. That, or the Pope will walk around naked in New York.

Seriously though, my prayers are with Harry and the rest of the familes with loved ones at war, such as mine.

- sara on April 30th, 2007

I respect Harry’s ambition, but his service over there will be like the President going over. He’ll have a greater chance of stubbing a toe than facing the grim reality of some of those there. Like it or not, he’s still a monarch. He won’t ever see the front lines. That’s my opinion.

- J. on May 1st, 2007

It would be very interesting and quite the life lesson if Harry actually saw combat in Iraq. Quite the difference from the otherwise posh life of a prince!

I don’t know what Diana would’ve thought of her son going off to war, but I’d imagine she’d respect the decision nonetheless. (I just hope that the 10th anniversary of Di’s death this summer doesn’t prove tragic for Harry.)

Anyway I’d imagine Prince Charles never saw combat in Viet Nam or any other conflict of that era, when he was 22, however did any of his brothers ever see combat in the Falkins? Or is Harry’s deployment unprecedented since Prince Phillip?

- Autumn on May 1st, 2007

I so agree with you Sara, I’m also against the war, I really don’t agree with it, but if Britain is involved, than Harry shouldn’t have privileges just because he’s a Prince. He’s a soldier, so he must go to Iraq just like any other British soldier.
I also would love the Bush twins in Iraq. He started this war, so why should only be other people’s kids and families going to fight and suffer with all this (and we’re not even talking about Iraqi families suffering).
Anyway, I hope everything turns OK with Harry and all the others.

- Ana on May 1st, 2007

I think it’s important to note that Prince Harry wasn’t really “handpicked” per se. It was his unit’s turn to go to war, he wanted to go, they said he couldn’t, he protested, then they said he could.

also would love the Bush twins in Iraq. He started this war, so why should only be other people’s kids and families going to fight and suffer with all this.

So you’re against Bush sending other peoples’ children to war, but you’re for sending other peoples’ children (Bush’s) to war? Weird. Just remember, all those “other peoples kids” who are in Iraq right now volunteered to join. Nothing forced them to sign up, no matter what Michael Moore says.

- paully on May 1st, 2007

Although I am completely against this war (like most Americans, let’s be real), I find it honorable that Harry is serving in Iraq with his troop.

- plannbb on May 2nd, 2007

No offense to Harry’s ambition, but there was no way he was going to go to Iraq and actually be in danger. Sorry; never believed it for a second. Wow! He’s not going? Hmm…big shock!

- J. on May 16th, 2007

FYI, the Iraqi peoples’ suffering is due to Al Qaida, etc., not the coalition troops.

If Harry went over there, he would be like a lightening rod and attract attention but I admire him wanting to go for his country.

- Mariyn on May 16th, 2007

It certainly is a tough call. On one hand, Prince Harry wanted to go, and you do not want to give him too much “special” treatment. On the other hand, you couldn’t really ignore the facts of the situation.

He was apparently “very disappointed” that he wouldn’t be serving in Iraq (http://www.thenewsroom.com/details/309509/World?c_id=tvo).

- John on May 16th, 2007

I am glad he’s not going. Though I do admire him for being like any other soilder…..he truly is Princess Di’s Son in every single way.

- Posh_Fan on May 16th, 2007

I always doubted that Harry would ever see thefront lines.
Also about the cooment “would love the Bush twins in Iraq. He started this war, so why should only be other people’s kids and families going to fight and suffer with all this” I guess alot people don’t know how the military works, a person has to have volunteered to even be in a war. It makes me sad that people would wish harm on other people’s kids because they don’t like their parent

- sage on May 16th, 2007

No matter my personal feelings on the war, I admire Harry’s willingness to serve his country. However, I think the best decision has been reached. His presence not only endangers Harry but his entire regiment. They will constantly be targeted and it’s just not worth the risk.

- sweetdiva on May 17th, 2007

Actually I’m not surprised either that Harry isn’t going to Iraq, although it would’ve been interesting.

Whoever mentioned about the Bush twins serving in Iraq is thinking with the Vietnam era Draft mentality, and so far the US Congress hasn’t reinacted the Draft…although I remember hearing on MSNBC or something how the Government is “seriously considering it” for 2009?!

(So I’d imagine if anyone will have a child who will be or if you will be between the ages of 18 and 30 in 2009, you might have to watch your mail/the news/etc.)

- Autumn on May 17th, 2007