Prince Harry's Tour of Duty in Afghanistan: December 2007-February 2008

[Duke of Marmalade]

It wasn't the Daily Mail. It was the Telegraph and there's a video of Harry saying he doesn't actually like living in the UK. Add this to his statements about not wanting to a Prince and just wanting to be 'ordinary', I'd say there's quite a substantial argument for the sudden switch in public feeling. The sentiment coming through on TV and radio here is, "If he doesn't like it, give it all up and go away".

I'd see it the same way altough Harry probably did not chose his words wisely.

Harry chose his profession and lifestyle and he has to live with the consequences, that's very simple. He could have done what other princes who are not heirs have done if he doesn't like the media attention in his country: study and work abroad, even make his own living, if he likes. It's possible, just have a look at the dutch princes.

 

[Lamyah]

I see we are mouthing the usual tabloid nonsense here. If he did not like England, why exactly was he in a war zone, putting his life and that of others in danger exactly? Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph printed edited version of it. However, if someone can post the exact interview clip for us to support their claim, by all means do so.

Prince Harry did not say he did not like England, rather he did not like the garbage media prints about him and the paparazzi constantly harassment, and felt he was treated 'normal' for the first time in his life.

I love how some of these media and cynical royal watchers are struggling with this reality of Harry doing something substantial for his country and Queen. Kinda goes against the party prince who had no purpose

 

[ysbel]

Harry chose his profession and lifestyle and he has to live with the consequences, that's very simple.

Well it depends on what you mean. I don't think Harry chose to be a prince. Yes, he chose to be a soldier which several other young men choose to do but I don't think Harry ever chose to be or not to be a prince.

I don't know if he can rightly choose to cast off his princely title and responsibilities.

 

[Lamyah]

Prince Harry: Fellow troops pay tribute

More Interview and fellow Soldiers comment about Prince Harry:

Prince Harry: Fellow troops pay tribute online - Telegraph

'Harry will be missed by troops' - BBC

The Queen speaks of her pride at Prince Harry's bravery - Mirror.co.uk

Prince Harry's interview:
Humbled Prince Harry Says: 'I'm No Hero' After Afghanistan |Sky News|UK News

BBC NEWS | UK | Prince Harry rejects 'hero' label

 

[Mermaid1962]

And if it was possible for him to give up his title, can you imagine what a target he'd be for terrorists and stalkers? He'd have no official protection then at all.

Well it depends on what you mean. I don't think Harry chose to be a prince. Yes, he chose to be a soldier which several other young men choose to do but I don't think Harry ever chose to be or not to be a prince.

I don't know if he can rightly choose to cast off his princely title and responsibilities.

 

[Mermaid1962]

I find the talk of this being a "publicity stunt" distasteful. This wasn't a nice safe visit to a hospital or a homeless shelter in the UK; this was serious fighting where Prince Harry's life was in danger. BTW, I think that Chelsy did an excellent job of keeping this quiet.

 

[CasiraghiTrio]

What about pictures?

John Stillwell of Press Association was given access to Cornet Wales, on ten-week tour of duty with his army regiment, in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan on 18-21 February 2008. The Ministry of Defense also captured television footage for use by Agence France Press (AFP) TV.
Photo credits: AP/PA, Reuters
Gallery
Gallery 2

On Saturday, the Prince returned safely and apparently happily to Britain with his squadron, landing at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, where he was met by his father and his brother.
He granted a television interview on the same day.
Photo credits: Reuters, AFP/AP
Pic 1
Pic 2
Pic 3
Gallery

Other galleries
Arriving in Britain
Abaca Press Americas Search Results

Leaving Afghanistan to go home, 1 March 2008
Abaca Press Americas Search Results

65 pictures of his tour of duty in February
Abaca Press Americas Search Results

140 pictures of Harry in Afghanistan
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81 more
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[Nadiah_girl]

Good for you Harry, and well done.

 

[LOSSEAN]

Well Done Your Royal Highness! You have made HM and HRH, your Dad proud. Your beloved mum would have been very proud too.

 

[CasiraghiTrio]

I just read the interview Harry gave and some of the many reports in the media after his return to Britain.
I´m a bit surprised that everything only sounds great, good, positive....
I think Harry and all the others there made and make a very dangerous, important, good job and there is very reason to be proud of them.
But when i read what he said, i missed any comment about the cruel of war, and i think very war is a cruel thing.
I´m sorry, but Harry´s interview sounds to me a bit like a great adventure hoilday. Is this the reality of the war in Afghanistan??

I agree with you. But I imagine he has been told what he can and cannot say, and as a serviceman representing the MOD, he cannot speak of things that would be conflictive against the military policies. And to speak of the horrific truths might be akin to speaking out against the war, which I suppose he cannot do, being an officer representing the cause. Remember that there is a great difference between being a military officer and being a politician. While the politician can take a stance on issues, the military officer is duty-bound to execute the policies of the Defense Ministry, not to make or criticize those policies. And it probably applies more so to Harry, because of his high profile. He must be an example to lesser known soldiers.
But I agree with you completely that the glossing over of war is never pleasant to witness.

 

[ghost_night554]

Just read Daily Mail's new article of Harry not enjoying being a "poster boy" for the Army and would someone love to explain to me why the Ministry of Defence is going around even suggesting that William could be deployed with the Navy and Harry could be re-deployed with his regiment later this year. Are they just asking for more trouble? I think they should just keep their mouths shut if they don't want to hurt them and the other soliders.

 

[wbenson]

Have they actually said that William could be deployed to a war zone or just that he could be deployed "overseas"? The seas are pretty big.

EDIT: Looking at the articles, it does make it sound like they were being a little overzealous, but they still seemed to add quite a bit of leeway by mentioning the Indian Ocean and South Atlantic.

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

Well it depends on what you mean. I don't think Harry chose to be a prince. Yes, he chose to be a soldier which several other young men choose to do but I don't think Harry ever chose to be or not to be a prince.

I don't know if he can rightly choose to cast off his princely title and responsibilities.

Harry is a prince by birth, there is nothing to chose about. What I mean is the choice what to do with his life, keeping in mind that he IS a prince and ALWAYS WILL BE in the interest of the media. Some professions or lifestyles might work well with this fact, others don't. It was quite clear from when he decided to join that being the 3rd in the line to the throne and a career in the army including doing his duty in a warzone might not be an easy match. Nevertheless he chose to go ahead and in the last days we have seen the consequences, hardly surprising. If he had chosen to study abroad or work abroad for charitable causes (eg his Africa charity) or even in a "normal" job there would be some controlled media appearances but that would be about it, allowing him to lead a life as normal as it can get for a prince. It's possible for others therefore it's possible for Harry, too but entirely up to him. Unfortunately these days he's paying the tribute for being a prince when not being able to go ahead with what he loves to do, I reckon that, but there are always two sides of the story as being a prince could, on the other hand, at least open doors for him that might remain closed for Joe Average.

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

I´m sorry, but Harry´s interview sounds to me a bit like a great adventure hoilday. Is this the reality of the war in Afghanistan??

I thought the same since the majority of the pics showed him playing rugby, riding a motorbike or joking around in his army outfit, like on a big adventure playground, including computergames and shootings. I am sure Harry is very serious about his stay but I am not sure if the right ankle of coverage had been chosen by the media. It should have been much more low key or pragmatic since this was neither a prince on adventure holiday nor is Harry a hero as some papers chose as headline, for what?

 

[Skydragon]

I thought the same since the majority of the pics showed him playing rugby, riding a motorbike or joking around in his army outfit, like on a big adventure playground, including computergames and shootings. I am sure Harry is very serious about his stay but I am not sure if the right ankle of coverage had been chosen by the media. It should have been much more low key or pragmatic since this was neither a prince on adventure holiday nor is Harry a hero as some papers chose as headline, for what?

I don't think there would be many members of this particular press pack willing to follow him into dangerous areas. The photo opportunities would have been carefully arranged, in an effort not to give away vital information. The pictures of him with his gun are because that is part of his job, all of them take out computer games and laptops, that is one of the things they do in their off duty time. Yes they play games, bikes, quads, but they can't go to the local dance or nightclub. Great in some of the bigger rolleyes camps, the Americans tend to set up coffee and burger bars, but that can get boring. The pictures help to show the families back home that their boys are allowed 'creature comforts'.

I have to wonder what some people wanted to see, a candid of him shooting the 'enemy' perhaps?

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

I have to wonder what some people wanted to see, a candid of him shooting the 'enemy' perhaps?

Oh god forbid! In my opinion the media coverage should have been much more low key rather than allowing a member of the army, even if it's Prince Harry, to chat about everything that comes to his mind and allowing such extended coverage about his daily life in Afghanistan. The issue was controversial from the beginning and the more it fills the papers and people's living rooms the worse for Harry and his position in the army. It would be helpful in case he would work full time in Lesotho but not in this case.

It's sad that it needs an employment of Prince Harry in a warzone to raise the interest in what many brave people are doing for their country every day.

 

[Skydragon]

Oh god forbid! In my opinion the media coverage should have been much more low key rather than allowing a member of the army, even if it's Prince Harry, to chat about everything that comes to his mind and allowing such extended coverage about his daily life in Afghanistan. The issue was controversial from the beginning and the more it fills the papers and people's living rooms the worse for Harry and his position in the army. It would be helpful in case he would work full time in Lesotho but not in this case.

It's sad that it needs an employment of Prince Harry in a warzone to raise the interest in what many brave people are doing for their country every day.

I'm sorry, I may have come across as a little harsh. We actually saw very little about the daily life of any of the servicemen or women, just carefully selected segments. I think we need to see more about the job the allies are doing and if that means 'using' Harry, then so be it. ITV have been doing some good features, but most people couldn't care less about the troops and some in Britain actually wish them great harm. Whatever someones personal view on the conflicts, there are real people doing the bidding of their government.

Someone commented earlier, that they are not allowed to discuss the horrible things they have seen or the 'bad' aspects of war, this is not the case, as has been seen time and again in the papers. The majority choose not to, after all what good will it do, most will tell you they joined up to fight as and when needed.

 

[CasiraghiTrio]

Just read Daily Mail's new article of Harry not enjoying being a "poster boy" for the Army and would someone love to explain to me why the Ministry of Defence is going around even suggesting that William could be deployed with the Navy and Harry could be re-deployed with his regiment later this year. Are they just asking for more trouble? I think they should just keep their mouths shut if they don't want to hurt them and the other soliders.

Is it indeed the MOD? It's probably just the media tossing out that speculation about William, and not the MOD. I cannot imagine the MOD ever engages in trifling media speculation.

 

[Duke of Marmalade]

Someone commented earlier, that they are not allowed to discuss the horrible things they have seen or the 'bad' aspects of war, this is not the case, as has been seen time and again in the papers. The majority choose not to, after all what good will it do, most will tell you they joined up to fight as and when needed.

got your point skydragon.

I don't mind them talking but what is really disgusting when there is a money making purpose behind it, eg in case of Faye Turney from the Navy who got seized in Irak. I still can't believe that senior personnel allowed her to sell her story to the papers whilst still being employed by the Navy. That was a true disgrace.

 

[karla64]

Proud royal grandma to present medal to Harry and fellow soldiers

 

[KingJosh]

Proud royal grandma to present medal to Harry and fellow soldiers

Thats very cool, i bet Her Majesty is very proud of Her grandson. His Royal Highness was really eager to fight for his country and as a military man I feel bad for him having to stop doing something he loved. His Royal Highness showed great maturity the way he has handled himself through this whole thing.

 

[ghost_night554]

Is it indeed the MOD? It's probably just the media tossing out that speculation about William, and not the MOD. I cannot imagine the MOD ever engages in trifling media speculation.

I read it really late at night so I guess I'm mistaken they didn't say MOD they just speculated. But for Harry returning this what they said:

The head of the Army, Chief of the General Staff General Sir Richard Dannatt, said yesterday that any normal junior officer would expect a period of recuperation and retraining so it would be "hypothetical for the next 12 to 18 months" whether the prince would be deployed again. And Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, head of the Armed Forces, said Harry could be sent back to the front line only if his presence would not put others in greater danger of attack.

 

[iowabelle]

It's an interesting contrast between Harry and Andrew. Harry apparently yearns to be "normal", and Andrew denied any desire to be "a regular person" when he spoke to Meredith Vieira (because he couldn't imagine what that was exactly). Harry seemed almost gleeful when he talked about not having had clean clothes for 4 days, like the rest of the guys.

I do wish the press would get off the young man's back. I think he was right to say that he didn't want to sit around Windsor -- he's had all this training, he's young and wants excitement and to do something interesting and worthwhile. Better that he should go to war or work in Africa than fall out of bars in England while chased by photographers.

The powers that be had better harness his energy or they'll wind up with a male Princess Margaret.

 

[Skydragon]

got your point skydragon.

I don't mind them talking but what is really disgusting when there is a money making purpose behind it, eg in case of Faye Turney from the Navy who got seized in Iran. I still can't believe that senior personnel allowed her to sell her story to the papers whilst still being employed by the Navy. That was a true disgrace.

100% agreement here!
What I find equally distasteful, are the bereaved parents who sell their story, they dishonor the child's intelligence for deciding to join up. IMO.

 

[COUNTESS]

How dare anyone judge any one who is bereaved, when they have never walked in those shoes. To bury a son or a daughter is, probably, the worst thing in life. No one has a right to question those parent's motives.

 

[BeatrixFan]

Unless that parent is a certain Harrod's boss.

 

[milla Ca]

From the Prince of Wales -website:

Prince Harry returns from Afghanistan
1st March 2008

Prince Harry returned to the United Kingdom after completing more than two months on active service in Afghanistan today.

The Prince of Wales - Prince Harry returns from Afghanistan
_________________
HRH speaks of his 'relief and pride' as he welcomes Prince Harry home from Afghanistan
2nd March 2008

The Prince of Wales said his thoughts were with parents who lost loved ones in Afghanistan as he welcomed his son Harry home.

The Prince of Wales - HRH speaks of his 'relief and pride' as he welcomes Prince Harry home from Afghanistan

 

[Skydragon]

How dare anyone judge any one who is bereaved, when they have never walked in those shoes. To bury a son or a daughter is, probably, the worst thing in life. No one has a right to question those parent's motives.

Yes, it is one of the worst things any parent or indeed wife/husband/partner can go through and I can speak from experience! Earning money from the death of a child or spouse is abhorent to the majority of people I would think.

Unless that parent is a certain Harrod's boss.

Yes indeed!

 

[COUNTESS]

Yes, it would be, but who are we to judge?

 

[Skydragon]

Yes, it would be, but who are we to judge?

Human, that is one of the reasons why we come on here and 'judge' others actions, dress sense or even posts.