Editing Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (section)

===Sandhurst; Blues and Royals; deployment to Afghanistan===
[[File:Royal Military Academy Sandhurst inspection of new Colours, June 2005.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Officer Cadet Wales ''(standing next to the horse)'' on parade at [[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst|Sandhurst]], 21 June 2005]]
Harry passed the [[Regular Commissions Board]] (RCB) in September 2004 and entered the [[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]] on 8 May 2005, where he was known as Officer Cadet Wales, and joined [[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst#Organisation|Alamein Company]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.royal.uk/prince-harry-has-passed-his-regular-commissions-board-rcb|title=Prince Harry has passed his Regular Commissions Board (RCB)|website=The Royal Family|date=24 September 2004|access-date=11 January 2023|last=Fisher|first=Connie|archive-date=11 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111174109/https://www.royal.uk/prince-harry-has-passed-his-regular-commissions-board-rcb|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Harry begins Sandhurst training|work=BBC News|date=8 May 2005|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4526077.stm|access-date=16 October 2008|archive-date=15 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115070107/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4526077.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> His entry into the academy had to be delayed for 4 months as he recovered from an injury to his left knee.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royal.uk/prince-harrys-entry-sandhurst-update|title=Prince Harry's entry into Sandhurst – an update|website=The Royal Family|date=30 November 2004|access-date=7 June 2023|archive-date=8 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608021727/https://www.royal.uk/prince-harrys-entry-sandhurst-update|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2006, Harry completed his officer training and was commissioned as a [[Cornet (military rank)|Cornet]] ([[second lieutenant]]) in the [[Blues and Royals]], a regiment of the [[Household Cavalry]] in the British Army. On 13 April 2008, when he reached two years' seniority, Harry was promoted to [[Lieutenant (British Army and Royal Marines)|lieutenant]].<ref name="LG 15 April 2008">{{London Gazette|issue=58667|date=15 April 2008|page=5736|supp=y}}</ref>

In 2006 it was announced that Harry's unit was scheduled to be deployed in Iraq the following year. A public debate ensued as to whether he should serve there. In April 2006, the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] announced that Harry would be shielded from the front line if his unit was sent to war, with a spokeswoman stating that he was expected to "undertake the fullest range of deployments", but his role needed to be monitored as "his overt presence might attract additional attention" that would put him or those he commanded at risk.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna12458725|title=U.K.'s Prince Harry may be kept from frontlines|work=NBC News|date=24 April 2006|access-date=16 March 2022|archive-date=17 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317004404/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna12458725|url-status=live}}</ref> Defence Secretary [[John Reid, Baron Reid of Cardowan|John Reid]] said that he should be allowed to serve on the front line of battle zones. Harry agreed saying, "If they said 'no, you can't go front line' then I wouldn't drag my sorry ass through Sandhurst and I wouldn't be where I am now."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4938978.stm|title=Reid defends Harry in service row|work=BBC News|access-date=30 January 2017|archive-date=19 December 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061219015123/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4938978.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Harry completed the Troop Leaders' Course in October 2006 and rejoined his regiment in Windsor, where he was put in charge of a troop of 11 soldiers and four Scimitar reconnaissance vehicles.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.royal.uk/prince-harrys-military-career|title=Prince Harry's Military Career|work=The Royal Family|date=26 February 2016|access-date=11 January 2023|last=Goodey|first=Emma|archive-date=11 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111083838/https://www.royal.uk/prince-harrys-military-career|url-status=live}}</ref> The Ministry of Defence and [[Clarence House]] made a joint announcement on 22 February 2007 that Harry would be deployed with his regiment to Iraq, as part of the [[1st Mechanized Brigade (United Kingdom)|1st Mechanised Brigade]] of the [[3rd Mechanised Division (United Kingdom)|3rd Mechanised Division]]{{spaced en dash}}a move supported by Harry, who had stated that he would leave the army if he was told to remain in safety while his regiment went to war.<ref>{{cite news|last=Witchell|first=Nicholas|title=Harry Iraq deployment no surprise|work=BBC News|date=22 February 2007|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6385169.stm|access-date=14 October 2008|archive-date=15 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115093652/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6385169.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

The head of the British army at the time, General [[Sir Richard Dannatt]], said on 30 April 2007 that he had personally decided that Harry would serve with his unit in Iraq as a troop commander,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna18399400|title=British army chief: Prince Harry to Iraq|date=30 April 2007|work=NBC News|agency=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=25 August 2012|archive-date=14 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014015203/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/18399400/ns/world_news-europe/t/british-army-chief-prince-harry-iraq/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/05/16/iraq.harry/|title=Prince Harry will not go to Iraq|work=CNN|date=17 May 2007|access-date=14 November 2021|archive-date=14 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114183320/http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/05/16/iraq.harry/|url-status=live}}</ref> and Harry was scheduled for deployment in May or June 2007 to patrol the [[Maysan Governorate]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1712044.ece|last=Hilder|first=James|title=A 'Wild West' in the east where militias learn their deadly trade|work=[[The Times]]|date=27 April 2007|access-date=14 October 2008|archive-date=3 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203112446/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1712044.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref> By 16 May, however, Dannatt announced that Harry would not serve in Iraq;<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/05/16/iraq.harry/index.html|title=Prince Harry will not go to Iraq|work=CNN|date=17 May 2007|access-date=14 October 2008|archive-date=9 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009120152/http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/05/16/iraq.harry/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> concerns included Harry being a high-value target (as several threats by various groups had already been made against him) and the dangers the soldiers around him would face should any attempt be made on his life or if he were captured. Clarence House made public Harry's disappointment with the decision, though he said he would abide by it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/newsandgallery/news/prince_harry_deployment_update_1590048916.html|title=Prince Harry deployment update|website=Clarence House|date=16 May 2007|access-date=14 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928075444/http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/newsandgallery/news/prince_harry_deployment_update_1590048916.html|archive-date=28 September 2008}}</ref>

In the summer of 2007 Harry was trained as a [[joint terminal attack controller]] at [[RAF Leeming]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2008/feb/28/military.afghanistan1|title=Harry's war|work=The Guardian|date=28 February 2008|access-date=18 March 2023|archive-date=18 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318155212/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2008/feb/28/military.afghanistan1|url-status=live}}</ref> In early June 2007, it was reported that Harry had arrived in Canada to train alongside soldiers of the [[Canadian Forces]] and British Army, at [[CFB Suffield]] near [[Medicine Hat, Alberta]]. It was said that this was in preparation for a [[tour of duty]] in Afghanistan, where Canadian and British forces were participating in the [[NATO]]-led [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|Afghan War]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/prince-harry-may-be-training-in-alberta-reports-1.243509|title=Prince Harry may be training in Alberta: reports|work=CTV|date=2 June 2007|access-date=14 October 2008|archive-date=11 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011200545/http://www.ctvnews.ca/prince-harry-may-be-training-in-alberta-reports-1.243509|url-status=live}}</ref> This was confirmed in February of the following year when the British Ministry of Defence revealed that Harry had been secretly deployed as a joint terminal attack controller to [[Helmand Province]] in Afghanistan for the previous ten weeks.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7269743.stm|title=Prince Harry on Afghan front line|work=BBC News|date=28 February 2008|access-date=14 October 2008|archive-date=15 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115130847/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7269743.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna23391374|title=Prince Harry on front line in Afghanistan|work=NBC News|date=28 February 2008|access-date=28 February 2008|archive-date=12 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012033523/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/23391374/|url-status=live}}</ref> The revelation came after the media{{spaced en dash}}notably, German newspaper ''[[Bild]]'' and Australian magazine ''[[New Idea]]''<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1580111/How-the-Prince-Harry-blackout-was-broken.html|last=Gammell|first=Caroline|title=How the Prince Harry blackout was broken|work=The Telegraph|date=28 February 2008|access-date=12 January 2016|url-access=subscription|archive-date=6 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306141240/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1580111/How-the-Prince-Harry-blackout-was-broken.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/b/new-idea/8771/prince-harry-goes-to-war-in-afghanistan|title=Prince Harry Biography – New Idea|work=Yahoo!|access-date=14 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080304115059/http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/b/new-idea/8771/prince-harry-goes-to-war-in-afghanistan|archive-date=4 March 2008}}</ref>{{spaced en dash}}breached the blackout placed over the information by the Canadian and British authorities.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2008/feb/28/military.afghanistan|last=Audrey|first=Gillian|author2=Tran, Mark|author3=Walker Peter|title=Harry secretly serving in Afghanistan|date=28 February 2008|work=The Guardian|access-date=26 March 2010|archive-date=1 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901175557/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2008/feb/28/military.afghanistan|url-status=live}}</ref> He was immediately pulled out due to the fear that the media coverage would put his security and the security of fellow soldiers at risk.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2008/feb/29/afghanistan.monarchy|title=Prince Harry to be recalled from Afghanistan|work=The Guardian|date=29 February 2008|access-date=8 January 2022|archive-date=8 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108202047/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2008/feb/29/afghanistan.monarchy|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-harry/prince-harry-back-from-afghan-frontline-idUSL0166847020080301|title=Prince Harry back from Afghan frontline|work=Reuters|first=Paul|last=Majendie|date=1 March 2008|access-date=8 January 2022|archive-date=8 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108225300/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-harry/prince-harry-back-from-afghan-frontline-idUSL0166847020080301|url-status=live}}</ref> It was later reported that Harry helped [[Brigade of Gurkhas|Gurkha]] troops repel an attack from [[Taliban]] insurgents,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1580113/Prince-Harry-in-Taliban-gun-battle.html|title=Prince Harry in Taliban gun battle|work=The Telegraph|date=28 February 2008|access-date=12 January 2016|url-access=subscription|archive-date=6 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306141243/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1580113/Prince-Harry-in-Taliban-gun-battle.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and performed patrol duty in hostile areas while in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1580118/On-patrol-with-Prince-Harry.html|title=On patrol with Prince Harry|work=The Telegraph|date=28 February 2008|access-date=12 January 2016|url-access=subscription|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051143/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1580118/On-patrol-with-Prince-Harry.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Nicholl |first=Katie |title=William and Harry|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781602861404 |url-access=registration|publisher=Weinstein Books|year=2010|pages=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781602861404/page/242 242]–243 |isbn=978-1-60286-140-4}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Winn|first=Patrick|title=F-15 pilots recall airstrike directed by Prince Harry|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-03-15-prince-airstrikes_N.htm|work=USA Today |date=15 March 2008 |access-date=5 November 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100035/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-03-15-prince-airstrikes_N.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Harry's tour made him the first member of the [[British royal family]] to serve in a war zone since his uncle [[Prince Andrew]], who flew helicopters during the [[Falklands War]]. For Harry's service, his aunt [[Princess Anne]] presented him with an [[Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan]] at the [[Combermere Barracks]] in May 2008.<ref name="PeopleMedal">{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/1929243/Prince-Harry-receives-Afghan-medal.html|title=Prince Harry receives Afghan medal|last=Pierce|first=Andrew|date=5 May 2008|access-date=21 December 2023|work=The Telegraph|url-access=subscription|archive-date=20 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520040044/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/1929243/Prince-Harry-receives-Afghan-medal.html|url-status=live}}</ref>