Harry 'will quit over an Iraq ban'

Household Cavalry Regiment sources have warned that Harry will leave the Army if he is stopped from going to Iraq.

Military bosses are assessing the Prince's role in the Gulf after one of the bloodiest months for British forces in the war-torn country.

The MoD said his situation was under "constant consideration", as it was reported that the Army had launched an 11th-hour review of the decision to let him serve alongside his men.

The Household Cavalry source said: "This comes as a huge surprise. As of today, as far as the regiment's concerned, he is definitely, definitely going. This is what he signed up for and if he doesn't go, he will sign off and leave. He joined the Army for a bit of excitement and for him to be told he's not going would be awful."

And that sentiment would extend to his colleagues, he said, adding that Harry would get the best protection possible from his troop. "He has his troop, and the protection of his troop, and his vehicle," he said. "His troop will not just protect him but all the guys. He is just as important as the youngest guy in his troop. They are all there to do their bit."

Third in line to the throne Harry, 22, has set his heart on being a career soldier and leading his 11-strong armoured reconnaissance troop in Iraq. He has reportedly threatened to quit the Army before if he is not allowed to serve in a conflict zone.

In an interview to mark his 21st birthday, he insisted: "There's no way I'm going to put myself through Sandhurst and then sit on my a*** back home while my boys are out fighting for their country."

Royal sources maintained that the Prince would take any decision by Army chiefs like a "grown-up". The source said: "He's trained with his troop. He's responsible for the 11 of them. They're all bonded. They all want to go and do what they were trained to do. He's a grown-up and he'll take whatever the decision is, but he wants to go."

The source added: "He would be extremely disappointed but to say he would quit is way too strong."

Clarence House insisted that Harry was still on track to head out to Iraq, but declined to comment further. "It's an Army decision and always has been and always will be," a spokesman said.