philemmons
02-17-07, 11:00 PM
LONDON, England (CNN) -- Prince Harry, a 2006 graduate of Britain's prestigious Sandhurst military academy, will soon go to Iraq with his military unit, a British military source told CNN.
The posting to Iraq, something Prince Harry has been actively seeking since being commissioned, is expected in April or May, the unidentified military source told CNN.
The exact timing of the prince's arrival in Iraq is uncertain because of security precautions, the source said.
British newspaper The Daily Mirror -- also citing an unnamed military official -- reported the 22-year-old royal will be deployed along with his regiment near Basra, Iraq.
British Defense Secretary Des Browne is expected to announce February 26 that the prince, third in line to the throne, will accompany his troops to southern Iraq, according to CNN's source and the source quoted by the Mirror.
A royal family spokesman was unavailable for comment Saturday and a spokesman for the Defense Ministry told CNN that press reports about the prince's assignment are speculative, saying upcoming Iraq deployments had yet to be finalized.
Prince Harry is known as Troop Leader Wales by his Blues and Royals regiment. He has trained to command 11 soldiers and four Scimitar tanks.
Harry's military service continues a royal family tradition.
His father, Prince Charles, was a pilot with the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. Harry's grandfather, Prince Philip, had a distinguished career in the Royal Navy. Harry's uncle, Prince Andrew, was a Royal Navy pilot and served in the Falklands War against Argentina.
As the second in line to the British crown, Harry's older brother, William -- while also a military officer -- is not eligible for combat service.
The posting to Iraq, something Prince Harry has been actively seeking since being commissioned, is expected in April or May, the unidentified military source told CNN.
The exact timing of the prince's arrival in Iraq is uncertain because of security precautions, the source said.
British newspaper The Daily Mirror -- also citing an unnamed military official -- reported the 22-year-old royal will be deployed along with his regiment near Basra, Iraq.
British Defense Secretary Des Browne is expected to announce February 26 that the prince, third in line to the throne, will accompany his troops to southern Iraq, according to CNN's source and the source quoted by the Mirror.
A royal family spokesman was unavailable for comment Saturday and a spokesman for the Defense Ministry told CNN that press reports about the prince's assignment are speculative, saying upcoming Iraq deployments had yet to be finalized.
Prince Harry is known as Troop Leader Wales by his Blues and Royals regiment. He has trained to command 11 soldiers and four Scimitar tanks.
Harry's military service continues a royal family tradition.
His father, Prince Charles, was a pilot with the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. Harry's grandfather, Prince Philip, had a distinguished career in the Royal Navy. Harry's uncle, Prince Andrew, was a Royal Navy pilot and served in the Falklands War against Argentina.
As the second in line to the British crown, Harry's older brother, William -- while also a military officer -- is not eligible for combat service.