Prince Harry to go to Iraq
By snowflake5
@snowflake5 (1579)
United States
February 22, 2007 4:13pm CST
Though some 1500 troops will be pulled out of Iraq, about 5000 will remain, and Prince Harry's regiment will be amongst those being deployed next month to relieve the men currently there.
I think it's brave of the Queen to allow it, and good of Harry not to shy away from his duty.
Royals have a history of participating in war - Prince Andrew took part in the Falklands war as a naval helicopter pilot. The Queen of course is commander in chief, as head of state, and as a result the royal family has always had at least one son/grandson in the military to show solidarity with them.
Prince Harry has only just graduated (last year) from the military training academy, Sandhurst. If he'd been older and graduated a few years ago, it's likely he'd have been deployed in the invasion.
I hope he comes out alive.
8 responses
@4ftfingers (1310)
•
22 Feb 07
i totally agree. ignoring for the moment that i dont beleive the iraq war was important to queen or country, i think it's admirable that harry wants to serve his country. while blair's sons are off to make a mint in the city, he realises what importance to moral it is that he joins in the cause
@snowflake5 (1579)
• United States
23 Feb 07
I'm against the Iraq war too, but I think it's admirable how the Royals loyally participate in every war the governemnt starts, regardless of who is in power or whether they agree with it. Real sense of duty.
@trouble4u2avoid (2915)
• United States
23 Feb 07
I saw this mentioned earlier today. I'm just surprised he is being sent. I always assumed the princes were under tight security even while school and the academies. I guess when he is sent into Iraq he will have an ample amount of protection. I worry for his safety.
@snowflake5 (1579)
• United States
24 Feb 07
This is Britain remember, we're more Keystone cops than CSI!
I forgot to tell the story of Michael Fagin, who broke into the Queen's bedroom in 1982. She woke up to find him sitting on the end of her bed. She calmly pressed the alert button at the side of the bed and chatted to him while she waited for security to arrive. It turned out that he wanted to tell her his troubles (I think he was a psychiatric case), and they prescribed psychiatric help for him afterwards.
@trouble4u2avoid (2915)
• United States
23 Feb 07
That's crazy. I always though the royals were well guarded. I can't imagine anything like you mentioned happening. I just hope he doesn't get hurt. I really don't like everything that is happening over there in Iraq.
@peni88 (469)
• United States
25 Feb 07
hi i think that its great that prince harry being deployed . i think its wrong if he didnt go. just because hes a prince he shouldnt be sheltered from the world around him and to do his part. as for the queen being brave in allowing him to be sent, thats a croc. she shouldnt have anything to say about it. yes, its her grandson, but there are alot of other grandsons, sons, daughters, etc going to iraq that arent famous. im sorry if i seem cruel, but just because youre famous doesnt mean you shouldnt de your duty for your country.
@snowflake5 (1579)
• United States
26 Feb 07
True - if you've joined the military, then you should serve where ever your commander deploys you.
The Queen does have veto power over the movements of her family (she can even block their marriages if she wants). So they will have had to get her consent, and it's great she gave it. She also gave consent for her son Prince Andrew to serve in the Falklands war. At the time Andrew was second in line for the throne. Prince Harry, who is her grandson, is third in line for the throne.
I think it's also admirable that the royals put males in every generation into the military. The Queen's husband Prince Phillip fought in WW2, and the Queen herself was in the WRENs during the war.
Prince Harry's deployment means that all the living generations of the Royal family will have seen active service in a war - it's not something leaders of other countries can claim.
@mckenziemom (523)
• United States
25 Feb 07
I am very impressed with Prince Harry's intent to serve in the war. I think that something can be said for his loyalty and bravery to serve alongside his troops. On the other hand, our elected officials have very few if any of their children serving in the war but tucked away in Ivy Leaugue schools. I hope that Harry's tour of duty is safe and brief.
@MrCoolantSpray (1005)
• United States
26 Feb 07
It's admirable. I wish more people had as strong a sense of duty as Prince Harry.
@nayanmange (148)
• India
1 Mar 07
Well, he has to perform his duties. But now Iraq is more safer than it was before.
@snowflake5 (1579)
• United States
1 Mar 07
I;m not sure where you get the idea that Iraq is now safer. All the reports coming out of there say the violence is increasing.
@snowflake5 (1579)
• United States
24 Feb 07
I too wish they could all come home. But I think it helps the chaps out there to know that they are in the same boat as a royal, and that no one is using priviledge to get out of service.
@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
22 Feb 07
I don't agree with the war in Iraq either but it is admirable of Prince Harry to show such responsibility, duty and loyalty to his country.
