Should Prince Harry go to Iraq?

Question

Would it send out the wrong signal if Prince Harry wasn't sent to Iraq? Could Harry's presence there pose a risk to him or his colleagues? Are you a member of the armed forces? If so, what do you think?

Answer 1

No - it would endanger his platoon. He is a main target.

Answer 2

Im not a member of the armed forces however i have spent almost 30 months working in iraq and I have recently returned due to the increase in bombings upon the british bases.

Part of me agrees that Prince Harry should go to Iraq to boost morale for the troops that are already there. However I do agree that there will be an increase in threat not only to himself but for fellow troops around him and also the military bases.

Why does our country have to broadcast everything that the Princes do? If our country just sent him out there and got his tour over and done with then I believe that the threat increase would not be as great as it is now.

I would like to wish Prince Harry a safe tour along with the rest of the British troops and all the civilian personnel that are currently working in Iraq.

Answer 3

Throughout history, the monarchy has had a part to play defending the realm. The last time a member of the royal family saw combat was when Prince Andrew took part in the Falkland / Malvinas campaign but that was before Harry was born. I personally think that he should go because as third in line to the throne, he has the potential to have some really big shoes to fill and if he can learn about leadership under stress, about holding onto honour when all around you the world seems to be in chaos, then he will make a better monarch - even if his dad and older brother will come before him in line to the throne when his gran steps down.

Our armed forces are the ROYAL navy, ROYAL air force - and curiously, the British Army(?) - and they have a duty of care to all those who serve in their ranks, regardless of who their daddy is. The armed forces have had problems in the past with recruitment, perhaps Harry can do for the British Armed forces what the Top Gun movie did for the Americans.

By the way, I am not a member of the armed forces, although I did apply to join the army. (I failed the medical)

Answer 4

There's no doubt that Harry's entirely prepared to go to Iraq. All the articles are quotinq the interview he did when he was 21 saying what was the point of Sandhurst if he ends up stuck to a desk. But there are several issues to consider: 1) The succession. Part of the problem is he's 3rd in line to the throne, so if he's killed on the front line and "they" miss the houses of parliament and hit Buck House instead wiping out Granny, Pops and big bruv the whole thing goes to an uncle/cousin - looking at the available selection, that's not exactly ideal. If he were a cousin or uncle, no problem. 2) The family. Not really a problem, as he wants to go and they want to let him. Just needs Granny as top banana in charge of the army to officially say so and the Ministry has no choice. 3) The increased potential for bloodshed / loss of life or liberty for those around him. This is partly the fault of the media, who've been busily beaming pictures of HRH in various uniforms all over the world making him totally and instantly recognisable to any terrorist who fancies making a quick buck or a big statement. If this hadn't happened, they'd have had to look a darn sight harder to find plain Hal Windsor among the thousands of other new bits of cannon fodder. As it is, the message needs to go out that he should and will be treated the same as any other soldier if taken hostage - he doesn't want special treatment and shouldn't get it just 'cos of his surname. Including his colleagues being forced to jump in front of him in the event of a badly placed bullet during a battle. And what, may I ask, is the point of bodyguards (I have seen somewhere the suggestion that they would go with him) in a war zone?!? Other than getting in the way, preventing him doing his job, and acting like a giant signpost, that is.

Answer 5

I'm not a member of the armed forces. However I believe it poses a security threat for the Country if he be sent to Iraq. Though other princes have gone to the frontline in the past, at those time, terrorists were not so careless of life as this animals are. They will use this opportunity to their benefit and they will succeed. I do wish that the army chief will change his mind or rather give him an office post where he won't be in the frontline.

Answer 6

It would definitely appear a wrong signal if Prince Harry is not allowed to go to the war in Iraq. But then again, the rest of the world is against the Americans from fighting the war in Iraq. I personally don't think Prince Harry's presence will threaten his or his colleagues' lives unless the Prince does something stupid like he has been occasionally in the past.

No I am not a member of the armed forces, but I am very very fortunate and proud of those who are. They are fighting for our freedom, and it angers me to see our politicians outspokenly declare our war is over.... :/

Answer 7

Prince Harry wants to go to Iraq ? Oh really ! I think Harry wants to go to Iraq safe in the knowledge that the powers that be will ensure that he is not placed in a position of potential danger.
OK, it could be potentially dangerious anywhere I guess but some patrols etc are far more dangerious than others.
In addtion to this, would he not become a prized target of the insurgents, I think he would and I also think that he will place his squad in even greater danger, not only will they be at risk of being killed or injured because good old Blair is stuck up George, but now they risk all in order to protect Harry.
It's not on !
I served in NI and would not have wanted to go on patrol with anyone who attracted that much attention, the jobs hard enough as it is.
So, Ten out of Ten for commitment and guts Harry but do everyone a big favour and stay at home.
That or go but ensure you do not place others in a postion of greater danger than they would have been placed in if you had not gone.

Answer 8

Prince Harry is the most down to earth royal this country as had in the last 500 years and a credit to is mother.I don't think we should be in iraq fighting bushes fight. Prince Harry should have the right to choose for himself and not be held back from what he wants just because he is a prince.

Answer 9

Every soldier over their should be leaving while their hearts are still beating, not going home in a body bag , but the media don't let you see the truth of how many young boys are dying out their for King and Country or out of Patriotism.

I believe Prince Harry should go to Iraq if anything it will show he is human like the rest of us and might knock his pompous attitude down to size !
After all their is nothing like a wake up call than war and putting your life on the line 24/7!

Answer 10

He's trained as a soldier, he wants to go, so he should be allowed to. His presence may pose a risk, but all the publicity isn't exactly helping either! If the powers that be are so worried about him being targeted, why the heck are they telling the world and his wife so many details about his possible deployment. They may as well just send the Iraqis a map saying X marks the spot!!

Answer 11

I think the authorities are living in cloud cuckoo land. Due to the usual "public interest" story the whole world knows, not only that he is going, but in exactly what role. From the moment he arrives every terrorist in Iraq will be hot on the trail of every Brit reconnaissance unit that moves anywhere, in the hope of capturing Prince Harry and putting him on TV as a trophy hostage. This puts everyone working in that role on a high risk.

If he is caught, then no doubt there will be some huge operation put into motion to get him back, putting even more lives at risk. It's just not worth it.

I was all for getting rid of Sadam Hussein, but now it all seems such a mess. The people in that part of the world are so crazy and destructive, there just doesn't seem any hope for them. I think we should leave them to it. It no longer seems worth risking the lives of our people for them. At least while they are killing each other they are not planting bombs in our cities.