Prince Harry: Send me to Afghanistan or I'll quit Army

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The Prince, a second lieutenant in the Household Cavalry, had been told there was a chance he could be posted to Afghanistan last month with C squadron, but he was banned from going just weeks before the troops departed.

The last-minute intervention was the second major blow for the Prince who was banned from going to Iraq with the Blues and Royals in May over fears he would be a terrorist target.

The Prince made clear in an interview following his training at Sandhurst that he wanted to fight with his men on the front line.

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Rock bottom: Harry wants to fight on the front line but he only carries out menial office duties

But now he is on regimental duties at Combermere Barracks in Windsor and is said to be so frustrated that he has threatened to quit unless military bosses find him a suitable post.

"Harry has said he is at rock bottom," a close friend said.

"He is upset, angry and frustrated and feels completely redundant. He is basically doing nothing.

"It's been very disheartening for him to be kept at home twice while his men have been sent away to soldier. He has said he is a troop leader without a troop.

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Prince Harry has told his father he is not prepared to be a redundant soldier for another year

"Now A, B and C squadrons have all been sent abroad and Harry has been left at home with nothing to do.

"Frequently he has been the only Household Cavalry lieutenant in camp over the past six months.

"He is determined not to be a quitter, but he has spoken to his father about his feelings and has said he is not prepared to be a redundant soldier for another year.

"The MoD are going to have to figure something out. If they don't, Harry has said he will think about pursuing his charity work and go back to Africa. He is desperate to do something that will give him a sense of purpose."

According to military insiders, D squadron of the Household Cavalry is training to go to Afghanistan early next year, possibly in March.

Officers are away training but the 23-year-old Prince has not been sent, indicating that it is unlikely he will join the fourth squadron on overseas duty.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said last night: "We never discuss Harry's location or future employment."

A Clarence House spokesman said: "We do not discuss Prince Harry's military commitments. He remains committed to his Army career."