Let Harry go!

Front line Iraq ‘too dangerous’ for Prince Harry

Prince Harry faces the humiliation of being held back from frontline service in Iraq because his presence there could prove ‘too dangerous’ for both himself and his men.

Although discussions are underway to send soldiers from his Household Cavalry regiment to the war-torn region next May, senior officials have admitted they may be forced to stop the third-in-line-to-the-throne from going.

Their decision is likely to put the head-strong young prince on a collision course with his superiors. He has already threatened to quit the army if he is not sent to a war zone, saying he couldn’t stomach being “wrapped up in cotton wool”.

But senior Ministry of Defence sources have told the Mail this week that 21-year-old Harry may have no say in the matter.

If Prince Harry wants to patrol the desert border in a Scimitar with the troops and risk his life and (IMHO) set a great example for leadership, he should be allowed to do so.

Comments

  1. Tainted Bill wrote:

    While Harry would be showing leadership if he were allowed to go, he’d also be increasing the danger to his men in his unit.

    Posted 25 Aug 2006 at 11:30 pm

  2. SeanH wrote:

    Bill’s right, but I can’t imagine they’d have any shortage of men very willing to serve with him. I’m sure they could make an all-volunteer force work.

    Leading by example in wartime is one of the few useful functions of a modern monarchy. Seems a shame for the UK to abandon it.

    Posted 26 Aug 2006 at 12:13 am

  3. Fathairybastard wrote:

    The point about him being a lightning rod is well taken, but ******’ A, let him go. He’s not the heir, he’s the spare. 500 years ago he’d hasve led the heavy cavalry charge. Of course, this is why they usually end up in the navy. remember when chucks younger bro served in the Falkland Islands war?

    Posted 26 Aug 2006 at 1:10 am

  4. rightwingprof wrote:

    The English monarchy has fallen quite a ways from the likes of Henry V or Richard the Lion Heart.

    Posted 26 Aug 2006 at 3:13 pm

  5. Jillian wrote:

    The ‘lightning rod’ aspect of this situation certainly applies, but SeanH makes a good point, there would undoubtedly be no shortage of men willing to serve with him.
    Why bother teaching courage and leadership skills to a body of men, and yet not allow such a good example of these important traits?
    “Rubbish.” :)

    Posted 26 Aug 2006 at 3:53 pm

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