LONDON — The secret is out: Prince Harry has been serving on the front line with his British army unit in one of Afghanistan’s most lawless and barren provinces.
Harry is the first royal to serve in a combat zone since his uncle Prince Andrew flew helicopters during Britain’s war with Argentina over the Falkland Islands in 1982.
British officials had hoped to keep the 23-year-old’s deployment secret until he had safely returned, but they released video of Harry serving in Helmand Province after a leak appeared on the U.S. website the Drudge Report. The news blackout was intended to reduce the risk to the prince and his regiment.
Though he is still in Afghanistan, military chiefs are angry over the leak and are considering if he should be moved. Tours to Afghanistan usually last six months, but Harry has served just 10 weeks.
The prince spoke of going without showers for days, eating corned beef and hash, and drinking nonalcoholic drinks. He noted he had also escaped the paparazzi in London.
Harry said his older brother, William, who is training as a military pilot, is jealous of his deployment. As second in line for the throne, William is unlikely to ever see combat.
Harry’s work in Afghanistan has involved calling in airstrikes on Taliban positions as well as going out on foot patrols. He spent part of his deployment at an operating base just 500 yards from Taliban positions, the military said.
