London – Britain’s army reversed course Wednesday and announced that Prince Harry will not be sent to Iraq with his regiment, citing “specific threats” from insurgents that expose the third in line to the throne to an unacceptable degree of risk.
Harry, 22, had been expected to deploy to southern Iraq in the next few weeks, but Army Chief of Staff Gen. Sir Richard Dannatt, who recently traveled to Iraq, said the situation there had become too dangerous and media scrutiny of the plans had exacerbated the situation.
The prince, who had long dreamed of leading his tank unit in Iraq, said he is disappointed but respected the decision.
“He fully understands Gen. Dannatt’s difficult decision and remains committed to his army career,” a statement from Harry’s office, Clarence House, said.
Media reports have said Iraqi insurgents planned to kill or kidnap the prince and have circulated his photograph among militants in the southern city of Basra. One newspaper report quoted a militia leader as saying he planned to take the prince hostage and to send him back to his grandmother – Queen Elizabeth II – “without his ears.”
The prince is a tank commander trained to lead 12 men in armored reconnaissance vehicles.
