Prince Harry uses army for Aids mission

The men from the Blues and Royals will build care facilities and repair infrastructure while on official deployment in Lesotho.

The prince is said to be "really excited" that he is combining his two passions - a campaign to help Aids orphans inspired by his mother, and his military service.

But the decision to use public money to help the Sentebale charity raised questions today over whether Harry, who suggested the idea, is being given preferential treatment by military chiefs.

Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker said: "The charity is a very good cause. Doubtless all soldiers in the Army are treated equally so it really is very fortunate indeed that this particular assignment has come Prince Harry's way."

In addition, Harry, 23, has agreed a corporate sponsorship deal with Land Rover to provide off-road vehicles for the deployment, a move which is likely to spark fresh debate over "royals for sale" after the £500,000 wedding pictures deal struck with Hello! by his cousin Peter Phillips.

Harry, a lieutenant, has been on leave since his secret 10-week stint fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan was cut short in March.

A source close to the prince said: "Harry's really excited. He's itching to get out of Britain and be back with the boys again. His regiment have to train somewhere and this way they do some real good at the same time. Getting the sponsorship from Land Rover clinched it."

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We do not comment on the individual movements of personnel."

It is understood a more senior officer will be supervising the exercise in Lesotho. The troops will conduct training exercises in other African countries later in the summer.

A senior military source said: "Adventure training is a key part of military life and is routinely funded from public and non-public sources which can include commercial sponsorship. Lieutenant Wales is treated the same as any other member of the armed forces. This is a good military exercise and people would be wrong to criticise it."

Harry set up Sentebale after being touched by the plight of abandoned and HIV-infected children at the Mants'ase orphanage in Lesotho during his gap year. The charity has faced scrutiny over its use of funds. Earlier this year accounts showed it had given vulnerable children only £84,000 of the £1.5 million it raised during the first 18 months. Just £10,000 was given to the orphanage where Harry posed for photographs with Aids victims.

Harry has already been to Lesotho for a recce. A source close to the charity said Prince Seeiso, who helped Harry set up Sentebale, will be overseeing the Army project.