Prince Harry’s long-term girlfriend, Chelsy Davy, is said to be very happy about the Prince’s non-deployment to Iraq. As well she might — his danger would translate into a period of acute anxiety for her, waiting for news back home.

After the bombshell rethink by the Army chief, Harry has been give a couple of weeks for “decompression”. Some might think that an unusual word for his normal method of letting off steam.

Over the weekend, the News of the World suggested there are plans to spirit him into Afghanistan “to fight the Taliban”. This would be done in absolute secrecy, so the enemy wouldn’t even know he was there.

It’s hard to imagine members of the Taliban reading the News of the World — an icon of Western decadence — but surely the paper must know that this kind of intelligence will find its way back to those who would dearly love to capture the Prince?

So, Afghanistan is definitely out then! It looks like the UN for desperate Harry. Who, though, will blow that mission before it begins? Chelsy could end up in a state of constant euphoria as “her Haz” remains confined to barracks at Windsor. The Prince could finish his Army career with only three medals : for the Boujis and Mahika campaigns, and the British equivalent of the Purple Heart for enduring testing hangovers without complaint. Poor Harry!

We’re also hearing that Harry and Prince William are planning an all-night bash immediately following the Diana Concert in July. Clarence House is totally spooked over this, thinking it would give the wrong impression if the two Falstaff Princes are seen falling out of a nightclub to mark the 10th anniversary of their mother’s death.

Meanwhile, Prince William is to accompany Kate Middleton (remember her?) to a wedding, according to Katie Nicholl in the MoS. This is a long-standing engagement apparently which neither wants to cancel.

Makes you think, though, doesn’t it?

Back in 1953, when Britain was still under the rule of austerity after the war, the most sumptuous event in a century was staged in central London. It was the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

Before the Crowning

It was also notable as the first Coronation ever to be televised. The BBC, under Head of Outside Broadcasts, Peter Dimmock, strove mightily to bring this extraordinary ceremony to a television audience watching on tiny monochrome sets all around the country. That it succeeded at all was a minor miracle, as Dimmock concedes.

Here are a few reminders of what people saw that day :

After the Crowning

A new Elizabethan Age begins

Back to the Palace

I suppose we’ll see another Coronation in London within the next decade or two. I wonder if it will match the 1953 occasion with its momentous sense of new beginning and expectation?

More details are emerging about the on-off shambles of Prince Harry’s deployment to Iraq with the Blues and Royals.

General Sir Richard Dannatt

We are hearing that the decision has left him “devastated” and reconsidering his long-term military career. Did no one think of all this when he joined the Army in the first place, not as a training exercise like Prince William, but as a full-time career Army officer?

In fact, it’s now a distinct possibility that he will be put on a similar path as his brother. William is to leave his regiment shortly for short spells with the RAF and the Royal Navy to prepare for his future role as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Royal sources are now hinting that Harry may accompany him.

Until then, the Prince will join William in D Squadron of the Blues and Royals, a holding unit that never fights in the field and which is made up of injured soldiers unfit to serve or those preparing to leave the regiment.

The other alternative is to put him in a UN peacekeeping force in Africa or another troublespot where he is unlikely to face kidnap and public torture. If he is deployed, it will be under conditions of absolute secrecy.

Since he now believes he has lost credibility as a professional soldier, the likelihood is that he has secretly agreed to a lesser role for a year or two, before quietly resigning from the Army.

But what then for the warrior Prince?

Following Royal Anecdotes’ open letter to Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff, the General has just announced that he has decided against the deployment of Prince Harry to Iraq.

The Army chief travelled personally to Basra to assess the dangers both to Harry and his men. He talked to all concerned, including Special Forces who would have been involved in his protection, and has now made his decision.

Clarence House has commented, “Prince Harry will be very disappointed, but will remain in the Army”.

General Sir Richard Dannatt also said that he has spoken with Harry’s commanding officer about ways to facilitate the Prince’s future career as an Army officer. Harry is expected to be promoted to full Lieutenant next year.