Prince Harry to spend Christmas fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan

Prince Harry in military uniform. Photo: Ben Stansall/PA

Tuesday, October 23, 2012
11:59 AM

Prince Harry will miss the royal family’s Christmas festivities this year as he will be serving in Afghanistan until early 2013.

The 28-year-old royal is working as an Apache helicopter pilot in the war-torn country, and this will be his second Christmas away from the UK.

In 2007, Prince Harry stayed in the country while his family, including Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles and Prince William, enjoyed their traditional family get together back home.

The prince initially landed in the country in early September and is based in Camp Bastian in Helmand province.

Despite the prince’s international fame, Royal Navy Captain Jock Gordon hoped he would be left to get on with his duties without any interference.

He said: “He will be in a difficult and demanding job. And I ask that he be left to get on with his duties and allowed to focus on delivering support to the coalition troops on the ground.”

Harry went alongside the 100-strong 662 Squadron, 3 Regiment, Army Air Corps.

On his last visit he was forced to return home early after media reports of his whereabouts.