Prince Harry has returned home to Britain after serving secretly in Afghanistan for nearly 10 weeks. The 23-year-old prince, a second lieutenant in the Blues and Royals regiment of the Household Cavalry, and third in line to throne, arrived on a RAF Tristar transporter plane at RAF Brize Norton in Oxford at 11.29am.
"He looked absolutely shattered," said one onlooker. "I wouldn't say he looked happy to be back, but he was chatting and laughing with some of the other soldiers. He looked very red from the sun!"
The news of the prince's tour of duty led to his departure from Afghanistan Thursday. In compliance with the Ministry of Defense, the world's media participated in a reporting embargo on Harry's deployment -- but the news was widely posted after an item on US website the Drudge Report.
The prince – dubbed "Harry the Hero" by some media outlets -- was reportedly among approximately 170 British soldiers returning from duty in Afghanistan.
His father, Prince Charles, and older brother, Prince William, greeted him at the arrival hall.
"It's a great relief to see him home in one piece," Prince Charles told reporters. "It's been quite difficult also having to keep quiet about the fact he was serving in that part of the world. People kept saying to me, 'You must be so frustrated about Harry not being able to serve abroad.' I would say he's on exercise somewhere."
Prince Charles added, "I've been incredibly proud of Harry and I promise you equally proud of all the dedicated service given by all our armed forces."
"It was a happy family reunion," a fellow soldier told a photographer at the airport. "We're all happy to be back."
By Owen Williams, Mar 01 2008 © Copyright 2008 - Showbiz Spy
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