Prince 'saddened by friend's death'

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Major Alexis Roberts, 32, from Kent, who was serving with 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, died as the result of an improvised explosive device on Thursday.

The Prince said his thoughts and prayers were with Major Roberts' wife and two young daughters.

Maj Roberts, who was formally named by the Ministry of Defence today, and two others were on their way back to Kandahar Airfield base when the blast hit their vehicle.

A statement released on behalf of the Prince said he was deeply saddened to learn of the death in action of "Lex" Roberts, whom he remembers with "great respect" as platoon commander and also as a good friend.

It continued: "At this time, his thoughts and prayers are with Lex's wife, Susie, their two young daughters, Alice and Freya, and with all his family and friends."

The Gurkhas had been taking part in an operation in neighbouring Helmand Province, the first major push since the unit's arrival in the country as part of the army's autumn troop rotation.

The blast happened about 19 miles west of the base in Kandahar Province.

All three were airlifted to Camp Bastion, Britain's main base in Afghanistan, where one was pronounced dead. The other two were receiving treatment.

The latest casualties take the number of British forces personnel to be killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations there in 2001 to 82. Maj Roberts is also the first UK soldier to be killed in the country since September 20.