Britain’s Prince Harry won’t deploy to Iraq

LONDON – Britain’s army reversed course Wednesday and announced that Prince Harry will not be sent to Iraq with his regiment due to “specific threats” from insurgents that expose the third in line to the throne to an unacceptable degree of risk.

Harry had been expected to deploy to southern Iraq in the next few weeks but Army Chief of Staff Gen. Sir Richard Dannatt, who recently traveled to Iraq, said the situation there had become too dangerous and media scrutiny of the plans had exacerbated the situation.

The 22-year-old prince, who had long dreamed of leading his tank unit in Iraq, said he is disappointed but respected the decision.

Dannatt said the move was due to specific threats to the prince and risks to the safety of his fellow soldiers.