In support of Harry's decision, I guess it would bring some legitimacy to his leadership if he went to fight alongside his countrymen...

Here's what the Montreal Gazette had to say, Sunday April 29th:

Prince Harry "nervous" in farewell speech ahead of Iraq deployment

Canadian Press

Published: Sunday, April 29, 2007

LONDON (CP) - A British newspaper has reported the contents of an alleged farewell speech by Prince Harry ahead of his much publicized posting to Iraq as a British army officer.

The News of the World, a weekly tabloid, reported Harry as telling a group of friends Friday that he is a "nervous wreck."

The newspaper quotes Harry as saying, "I've waited a long time and just want to get out there and serve my country."

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Britain's Prince Harry, younger son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, while taking part in his final training exercise, in Cyprus, in March 2006. (AP/Ian Holding/MoD)

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Commanders are reportedly reconsidering their decision to allow the prince to fight in Iraq.

They fear his presence could endanger other soldiers.

Harry's regiment, the Blues and Royals, is due to begin a six-month tour of duty in Iraq within weeks.

Clarence House, Prince Charles' London office, would not comment on the report. "What he does in his private time is private," said a spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with royal household policy.

The spokesman said reference should be made to a speech made last year by Harry to mark his 21st birthday. In it, the third in line to the throne said he would not have gone through the rigors of officer training at the elite Sandhurst military academy "then sit on my arse back home while my boys are out fighting for their country."

The tabloid reported Harry as telling a group of around 20 close friends at a London nightclub that he is prepared to "do anything they throw at me."

As the speculation continues whether Harry will be deployed on the front line, the 22-year-old royal reportedly told the group that he would be honoured to serve the country in any capacity required, adding that a final decision had yet to be made.

"It's a great, great feeling to go to Iraq," he reportedly said. "I don't know what to expect. I'm nervous, excited and apprehensive ... and I'm really looking forward to it. I just want to get out there and do it."

Harry, a second lieutenant, is a tank commander trained to lead a 12-man team in four armoured reconnaissance vehicles. If deployed, he would become the first royal to serve in a war zone since his uncle, Prince Andrew, flew as a helicopter pilot in the Falklands conflict with Argentina in 1982.

Army to the Rescue

From the Boston Globe... thank you Army!

Report: Army may bar Harry from combat

In this picture released by Ministry of Defense in London, Tuesday, April 11, 2006, Britain's Prince Harry wears the beret of the Blues and Royals, which forms part of the Household Cavalry, the oldest and most senior regiment in the Army, while taking part in his final training exercise, in Cyprus, in March 2006. A British newspaper reported Thursday April 26, 2007 that army chiefs were reconsidering their decision to allow Prince Harry to fight in Iraq with his army regiment. Clarence House, Prince Charles' London office, insisted Harry was on track to go to Iraq, but declined to comment further. (AP Photo/Corporal Ian Holding, Ministry of Defense, pool, File)

HARRY DON'T GO!

I like his expression in this photo... looks like he's been up to some mischief!

In other royal news, I didn't know SPAIN had a KING .
Interesting... apparently it's this guy:


Here is what Wikipedia had to say about him:

Juan Carlos I, King of Spain (baptized as Juan Alfonso Carlos Víctor María de Borbón y Borbón-Dos Sicilias) was born on January 5, 1938 in Rome and is the reigning King (Rey de España) and Head of state of Spain.

On 22 November 1975, two days after the death of Francisco Franco, Juan Carlos was designated King according to the law of succession promulgated by Franco. He successfully oversaw the transition of Spain to a democratic constitutional monarchy. Recent polls show that he is widely accepted by Spaniards.

Juan Carlos's titles include that of King of Jerusalem, as successor to the royal family of Naples. He is also a direct descendant of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom through his grandmother, Victoria Eugenie; of Louis XIV of France through the House of Bourbon; of the Emperor Charles V, who belonged to the Habsburg dynasty of the Holy Roman Empire; of the House of Savoy of Italy; etc.

His name, when rarely anglicised, is rendered as John Alphonse Charles Victor Maria of Bourbon (and Bourbon-Two Sicilies). He was given these names after his father (Juan de Borbon), grandfather (Alfonso XIII) and maternal grandfather (Prince Carlos of Bourbon-Two Sicilies).

... well that's interesting, and what a VERY long name....

Harry's GF is also totally bummed that he's heading off to the middle east (see http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006600104,00.html) ...

Anyways, I'm glad she's having fun as a girl should at 21, and I do hope she can take her mind off him. I would be (and am) sooo worried.... Harry is such a cutie pie, especially when he's all manly and ready for Army... but I wish he would just pull a Buster and pretend to go to Army. Harry would look super cute in a WWI uniform.. YEOW!

Harry,

Please don't go to Iraq!!
We really love you dearly in the States. Please don't put yourself in harm's way. You have a duty to your country to inspire people and fight for what is right and lead. Please don't go to Iraq!!!!

love and kisses,
xxxx