Harry Comes Home

After yesterday's report that Prince Harry was deployed to Afghanistan, it's unsurprising that the UK, Defense (Defence) chief decided to cut short the self-described Bullet Magnet's tour of duty.

Air Chief Marshal Jock Stirrup, chief of the Defense Staff, said he decided to withdraw the prince after senior commanders assessed the risks, the Defense Ministry said in a statement. [SNIP]

British officials had hoped to keep Prince Harry's deployment secret until he had safely returned, but they released video of him serving in Helmand province after the leak. The Australian women's magazine New Idea reported on Harry's deployment in January. The news appeared Wednesday in the U.S. Web site the Drudge Report, and media around the world subsequently reported it. [SNIP]

Harry conceded in an interview filmed last week that when he returns to Britain he could be a "top target" for Islamic terrorists.

"Once this ... comes out, every single person that supports them will be trying to slot me," he said.

But he said his deployment was a welcome chance to escape from paparazzi and hostile headlines. He said it was probably the best chance he'll ever get at being a normal person.

The article goes on to describe Harry's youthful scrapes, which is well as it serves as contrast to his honorable if short service.

I saw someone suggest that Harry should henceforth be called Prince Hal. Shakespeare would understand.