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Prince Harry Arrives Home After Deployment

Young royal flourished under adverse conditions of battle

By Jane Yager, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 1, 2008 7:31 AM CST

(Newser) – Prince Harry is back home after an abrupt end to his hitherto unreported Afghanistan deployment, CNN reports. The frustrated royal had earlier rued his return. "I don't want to sit around in Windsor," Harry, third in line to the throne, had told the Telegraph. "But I generally don't like England that much. It's nice to be away from all the press and the papers."

As an air controller, the prince came under mortar and machine gun fire five times a day and was involved in a firefight with the Taliban. His commanding officer praised Harry's "cool nerve, mental agility" and judgment in battle, and the young royal himself called the posting "all my dreams come true"—the closest he ever got to a normal life.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

In this image made available in London, Thursday Feb. 28, 2008, Britain's Prince Harry, atop a military vehicle in the Helmand province, Southern Afghanistan Monday February 18, 2008. Prince Harry... (Associated Press)

In this image made available in London, Thursday Feb. 28, 2008, Britain's Prince Harry sits in his accommodation at Forward Operating Base Delhi, Afghanistan, on Wednesday Jan. 2, 2008. Prince Harry... (Associated Press)

In this image made available in London, Thursday Feb. 28, 2008, Britain's Prince Harry patrols through the deserted town of Garmisir, Afghanistan, close to Forward Operating Base Delhi, on Wednesday Jan.... (Associated Press)

In this image made available in London, Thursday Feb. 28, 2008, Britain's Prince Harry, top right. with Lance Cpl Chris 'Dougie' Douglass, left, atop a military vehicle in the Helmand province, Southern... (Associated Press)

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Prince Harry Arrives Home After Deployment