Prince Harry will leave the British Army earlier than expected, say his friends. Instead of a glittering 20-year career as a professional soldier, Harry has realized that no commander can commit him to the type of war zone the modern Army fights in.

Voices close to Prince Harry are now positioning him for a face-saving early exit to become a full-time Royal and charity worker, possibly together with girlfriend, Chelsy Davy.

Prince Harry with Chelsy Davy

A source is quoted as saying, “Harry has wanted to serve in the Army since he was a small boy and the debacle over his deployment to Iraq has hit him hard. The poor lad really is beside himself and more than a bit depressed. He keeps up nearly by the hour on what is happening with his boys in the Gulf.

“He is trying to be positive about what has happened because the situation out in Iraq is so unusual, but knows in his heart of hearts that pulling him out was the death knell for his Army career.”

The friend went on, “He has not put a timeline on it yet but he has definitely changed his mind about the Army being his full-time career and will leave earlier than was previously thought. He has decided he will devote his time to charity work and travel. Harry has a list that his mother once made of things she wanted to help to change in the world and he wants to check all of them off.

“Harry is quite a complex character in that way. He is an outgoing lad who loves a beer, a cigarette and night out on the tiles, but he can be incredibly sensitive too and is very passionate about his work in Africa, even though he doesn’t always articulate it particularly well.”

And what of Chelsy Davy? The source said, “Don’t be surprised if you see his girlfriend, Chelsy, doing a bit of good work as well. Harry has been trying to invigorate everyone around him to help those who need it.”

Well, at least he’s being realistic about his role in life. Sending the third in-line to the Throne to be killed on a vicious battlefield most people think is not worth fighting over, would be a dismal outcome for the nation, and for a young man with so much to offer in other ways.

Keep your spirits up, Harry. It’s all still to play for.

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With British troops taking heavy casualties in Afghanistan, it seems Prince Harry’s chances of getting there even in a training capacity are diminishing by the day.

Prince Harry in battle mode

The plan to send him in with the East Anglian regiment, which has lost over a dozen men recently, have been put on hold. A final decision over whether he can serve in Afghanistan will not be taken for some weeks, according to insiders.

Some say that despite the fierce fighting in Helmand Province a range of options still remain open for him, including sending Harry to work at the NATO headquarters in the capital Kabul, which remains relatively safe.

He could also be given a job at Camp Bastion, the main British base in Helmand which is located in remote desert, and has so far not come under direct attack. However, once the Taliban get word he’s there, that could change dramatically.

It looks now as if Harry is destined for a very minor role in the Army, with him quitting after his initial three-year commission.

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.