LONDON (AP): A British newspaper reported Saturday the contents of an alleged farewell speech by Prince Harry ahead of his much publicized posting to Iraq as a British army officer.
"I am nervous wreck,'' the News of the World, a weekly tabloid, reported Harry as telling a group of friends on Friday. "I've waited a long time and just want to get out there and serve my country.''
Commanders are reportedly reconsidering their decision to allow the prince to fight in Iraq because of fears that 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 thrown 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 honored 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 armored 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.
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