Posted on 02/28/2008 3:11:09 PM PST by NormsRevenge
LONDON (AFP) - Prince Harry, who has been fighting the Taliban on the front line in Afghanistan, admitted in an interview released Thursday that he sometimes wishes he was not a privileged, well-known royal.
Speaking to reporters before he left for the war-torn country in an interview that was supposed to be held back until his safe return, the 23-year-old said he hoped that he would be treated as "just a normal officer".
And asked whether, following an about-turn by Britain's top military brass that meant he would not be posted to Iraq last year, he ever wished he was not a prince, Harry replied: "I wish that quite a lot actually."
"But yes, you know (elder brother Prince) William and I have said numerous times that there's a lot of opportunities that we miss out on as well as we also got a lot of chances -- for who we are."
The prince said he felt that being with the troops in Afghanistan was a good opportunity to be treated as just another soldier.
"I think dressed in the same uniform as numerous other people, thousands of other people in Afghanistan will give me one of the best chances to be just a normal person," he said.
"That will be massively important for me, it could be a turning point."
I hear ya, Harry. I hear ya. But we must carry on...
Britain's Prince Harry (3rd R) warms up around a fire with other soldiers at dawn, in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan February 19, 2008. The government is reviewing Prince Harry's presence in Afghanistan, where he has been deployed with the army for 2-1/2 months, following leaks in the international media that he was deployed there, the Defence Ministry said on February 28, 2008. Photograph taken February 19, 2008. REUTERS/John Stillwell/Pool (AFGHANISTAN)
I couldn’t handle fame.
If I want to go for a nice quiet walk in the woods I do so and nobody bothers me.
And such humility is the mark of a real Prince. Harry's dad should take notes.
How’d he make it out of that Inbred Looney Bin?? Hip Hip Harry!
Pray for W and Our British Allies
Aw he wants to be a princes.
Shoulder your burden well, Leftenant. Do that which you were trained to do, and your soldiers will do likewise.
That’s all we can ask.
The problem, Harry, is that if you keep acting with such humility and courage, England won’t want to get rid of royalty in your lifetime. Thus, you’re kind of stuck. If only you acted like your parents, you might live to see England getting rid of the throne.
Having said that, let’s get on with the business of kicking butt and having an election here at home with everyone here to participate! Viva le difference!
You are what you are, Harry. Make the most of it!
He should be throned as a King right now. No contest.
He makes me want to sing "God Save the King" and I'm not even British!
Give ‘em hell, Harry. Come home safe and sound, bloke.
“Cry ‘God for Harry, England and Saint George!’”
I guess he could always abdicate. Wonder what would happen to his life if he did that?
So he wants to be ‘regular’ eh? How ‘bout NOT drawing attention to yourself by wearing a Nazi get-up?
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