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The White Debonair
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Prince Harry has been fighting in Afghanistan - Telegraph
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Chief of the General Staff Sir Richard Dannatt, who is head of the British Army, said that the Prince's conduct on operations had been "exemplary" and that he is a "credit to the nation".
Watch: This is no rehearsal - Prince Harry fires at Taliban fighters in Helmand province
The deployment had been cloaked in secrecy under a news blackout deal agreed across the UK media to prevent details reaching the Taliban and endangering Prince Harry and his comrades.
But the arrangement broke down today after news was leaked out on the US website the Drudge Report.
In a previously unpublished interview before he flew out to Helmand Province in December, the Prince brushed off fears that he could be a "bullet magnet" declaring: "I just want to do my bit."
He said he had informed only a close circle of friends and family of his deployment, as the mission was cloaked in secrecy following the cancellation of the Iraq tour last year.
"I would never want to put someone elses life in danger when they have to sit next to the bullet magnet," he said. "But if Im wanted, if Im needed, then I will serve my country as I signed up to do."
Prince considered bowing out of army
Prince: 'My chance to be normal soldier'
Timeline: Prince Harry's path to war Despite knowing what happened before, he said: "I dont think its putting anybody at risk at all ... if I can get out there without anyone actually making it public - which is basically whats happening at the moment with the deal thats being made with numerous papers - things are looking up.
"From the Iraq tour that nearly happened, for me it was ruined by the fact that it was made so public.
"There was information that other people got that suggested that not only was my life in danger but the people that I served with: me being there may up the ante.
"Rather than two contacts a day it would be six or seven. And that was a risk that they weren't willing to take."
Harry 'directs his first bomb attack'
Prince 'treated the same as any soldier
Christmas spent 'dodging enemy bullets' Describing the extra precautions this time, he said: "I have told the people that I feel would need to know but other people I dont really want to put in that position of saying right Im going and then they feel as though theyve got to keep that deep down inside.
Watch: Prince Harry on patrol in Afghanistan
"People will be nervous, I think, for me - I hope - and it will be a bit of a shock or surprise when they find out that I am actually out there."
His over-riding feeling on finally going on an operational tour, was of evident relief.
"Its not so much what I hope to get out of it," he said. "Its just a job that Ive been doing for some time now but Ive always been stopped from doing that extra bit which is the main bit that everyone works towards.
"I just want to put it into practice and do the job and get it done and essentially help everybody else thats in the army and do my bit."
In his statement, Sir Richard said: "I am very disappointed that foreign websites have decided to run this story without consulting us.
In pictures: Prince Harry in Afghanistan
Harry on the front line; No shower for days
On patrol with Prince Harry|[URL="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/28/nharry1028.xml"]Queen broke news[/URL] "This is in stark contrast to the highly responsible attitude that the whole of the UK print and broadcast media, along with a small number of overseas, who have entered into an understanding with us over the coverage of Prince Harry on operations.
"After a lengthy period of discussion between the MoD and the editors of regional, national and international media, the editors took the commendable attitude to restrain their coverage.
"What the last two months have shown is that it is perfectly possible for Prince Harry to be employed just the same as other Army officers of his rank and experience.
"His conduct on operations in Afghanistan has been exemplary. He has been fully involved in operations and has run the same risks as everyone else in his battlegroup.
"In common with all of his generation in the Army today, he is a credit to the nation."
After the disappointment over Iraq, when Prince Harry was due to work as a Scimitar light tank troop leader, he retrained as a battlefield air controller known as a JTAC (Joint Terminal Attack Controller) with a view to going to Afghanistan.
He flew out on December 14, two months into the current winter tour. He spent several weeks working in Garmsir in the far south of Helmand Province, operating just 500m from front line Taliban positions.
He has since left Garmsir to work in another part of Helmand Province, details of which can not be reported for security reasons.
There is no immediate steer from the Ministry of Defence on the future of his deployment.
Thoughts?
