Prince Henry is so very very young and has led a sheltered existence. It might be dangerous to send him so I think it is better to send some poor person instead.

Poor people are used to being ordered around and if, for instance, their arm is blown off , say things like "Never mind Guv, I've still got another one". Also if poor people are killed hardly anyone notices, but if Prince Henry was killed it would fill our newspapers for a week

Bill Adams, New Delhi, India

Who dares take responsibility on the Harry-to-Iraq issue?. A dreadful burden on the shoulders of our military. The buck is passed to Mr. Blair. The convoluted conumdrum becomes more difficult.

Piggy Kruger, bridgwater, UK

Cornet Wales would be permanently damaged by not deploying. He is in the classic "no win" situation. Deploying could put more men at risk. Not deploying would, in later years, lead to charges of cowardice. Not to mention the personal anguish if his men took casualties. The best of a list of poor solutions would be to deploy him ,on arrival, to some other area of ops. That way he can face the danger, without being suicidal. His name should be changed during the deployment, with as inconspicuous a protective force as needed. Growth of whatever hair is permitted by the army. and perhaps a dye for that day glo hair.

Edward Philpott , Greensboro, North Carolina, USA

Has Harry been trained to go to a warzone?
Is he a soldier?
Does a general decide who goes and who stays?

All those are yes if you were wondering. I find the fact that people think whether Harry goes or not, is a polictical issue is insane. He's not even in direct line to throne. Harry should go!

Fred, Southampton, UK

Prince Henry is so very very young and has led a sheltered existence. It might be dangerous to send him so I think it is better to send some poor person instead.

Poor people are used to being ordered around and if, for instance, their arm is blown off , say things like "Never mind Guv, I've still got another one". Also if poor people are killed hardly anyone notices, but if Prince Henry was killed it would fill our newspapers for a week

Bill Adams, New Delhi, India

The fact that this has become an issue shows that not only has Britain lost the ideological war, but also that it is losing the battle on the ground.

JSD, Dumfries,

Let Harry decide.

It's clear that niether Blair or the Army have the balls to take the decision, so why not give it to someone that does?

Or ask the Navy, at least they know how to make a decision. Ok, it was the wrong one, but at least they actually decided something.

Silas, Solent, UK

In principle Harry should go. BUT he should have gone and done his 'shift' incognito while everyone else thought he was still partying or seeing his girlfriend in South Africa. Then he could have let it be known after the event.
It is now ridiculous to put his unit under increased danger because everyone knows he's there.
So now politically and practically I think he should not go.

Geraldine, London, England

God forbid that he gets captured by insurgents and held hostage!

What then Mr Blair?

John M, Los Angeles, USA

At this point both the prince's security and that of all his comrades in arms have been compromised. If the prince is to remain with the men under his command, then the whole lot should be sent somewhere else--not to Iraq.

Russ, Rome, Italy

It is not for the PM to have the final say, it is for the Cabinet.

Brian Gilbert, HAMPTON, Middx

If this war (sic) was in defence of the UK or its interests then this would never have been an issue. Harry would have packed his kitbag and gone off with our blessings just like all the other brave young people. The question really is not should he go but why are we there.

Matt Campbell, Youghal, Ireland

The technical merits of the various threads of this debate are lost now as so much information is out there in the public domain that Harry will be a clear primary target and he and/or all around him will bear the brunt. I'd predict that the British area of deployment would see an increase in action in search of this high profile target. For that reason alone his deployment should be binned. The MOD and the media combined here have just put him - and others - in the crosshairs. They wouldn't be dying for their country, their country would be killing them.

Ben, London,

We must decide what our monarchy is for. What role the family is to play in future governance of England (I almost said the UK!) My view is that we still need a monarch that stands above increasingly corrupt politics. Tony Blair clearly does not have qualities of a president! Our system has worked quite well over recent centuries. The monarchy used to provide leadership, at least in the armed services. If the world is now too dangerous a place for princelings, then perhaps we have to reconsider.

Brian Lewis, Manila, Philippines

The fact that it is now likely that he won't be sent to Iraq indicates a complete lack of forethought by everyone concerned.

If he was never going to be sent into a conflict he should never have joined the army. We don't need "toy" soldiers parading around on ceremonial occasions be-decked in unearned medals and expensively trained by the taxpayer.

Of course without the useless royals we wouldn't have the problem. Time to get rid of this outdated institution and move on.

D. Hardy, Manchester,

Prince Harry would have been in no more danger than any other Soldier going to Iraq if the Media crackpots had not announced to all and sundry when his Troop was going and what type of vehicle he would be in whilst he is out there. Therefore the people to blame for this fiasco is the Press and the media in general again.When are they ever goin to learn a lesson?.

Tonan, St.Helens, England

Brian Stewart's comments make sense. However plucky he is, there is no point in making Harry a target for fame seekers because it puts the rest of our troops in even more danger.

News stories have revealed too much and the insurgents' methods are extreme as we have regularly seen.

Imagine the worst - a 'photo opportunity' featuring our Harry.

No. He shouldn't go.

Annie, Bath, UK

Tis issue could not be clearer. If he would be an asset to the military effort there he should go. However if it is decided he would be more of a burden then it would be reckless folly to send him.

Kev, warrington, uk

Harry should have gone to Iraq and back under a cloak of secrecy instead of as the main pawn in the media circus , probably, initiated by publicity seeking buffoons in Government and the MOD.

Once he joined the Army, he should have been kept out of the spotlight unless and until he was on official Royal duties during his time off.

The less we hear of him the better for his own safety and that of his comrades.

jim hendry, Slatina, Romania

Why were Princes William and Harry encouraged to pursue careers in the armed forces? Surely a dilemna such as this could have been anticipated years ago and their career paths have been different. It would be wrong for other people to put their lives at risk to protect a prince. I think he should not go. He's experienced army life, a change of career at this stage might be the best for all concerned. There are many other worthwhile careers he could consider.

Margaret, London,

Prince Harry has taken on a job in which he obviously has a lot of pride. I often wonder what people think that our service personnel do. The object of the forces is to defend the country and act when it is required by other bodies. This applies to all of the services irrespective of the perceived rights and wrongs of any conflict. I have one other observation on this - why is it that we are advertising the fact that we are sending Prince Harry to the war zone. Surely, it would be better to keep our distribution of troops and assets secret or am I just being naive!

Kevin Morgan, Pontypridd, Wales, United Kingdom

Can this Queen look the East End in the face if he doesn't go?

Henry Graham-Battersby, Brampton, Cumbria

Since HRH Prince Harry would be going to Iraq to fight for Blair, perhaps Blair should decide whether he should go?

Peter, London, UK

"Prince Harry should quit army says Republic"

It is clear that Prince Harry should never have joined the army and should now resign his commission.

It would be scandalous for an over-stretched army to provide additional security for Harry if he goes to the front line in Iraq. It is highly unlikely the MOD is going to send him in without added security, and so the only option is for him to stay at home.

He should never have joined the army. He and his advisors should have known this situation would arise. They have placed the army and MOD in a very difficult position.

It is time the Windsor family stopped using the armed forces as a playground for bored princes. The army has a serious job to do and should not have its time wasted worrying about Prince Harry.

If Harry really wants to do something worthwhile perhaps he could pursue a career working for charitable causes.

www.republic.org.uk

Graham, brighton,

But if the Prince was killed in action what sort of funeral would be given?
It would hardly warrant a State funeral with all the trappings, and no one in the realm would agree to that.
A funeral for a prince killed in action should be equal to that given by every mother and father in the land who has lost a son or daughter in the current conflict areas.

Weaver, Hong Kong,

Second Lieutenants are not an asset, to be honest they are a liability until they have been in a fighting unit for a year. They need to watch and listen to NCO's to learn how to behave in a combat situation, and that takes a long time, ask a few generals if you doubt my words.

m wilson, bidache, France

Yes, a fitting way for Blair to go out -- send Harry to Iraq. I'm sure Euan will be there soon as well.

EH, Berlin,

This issue is now out of hand. We know where HRH is going and what he will be doing. He will be a prime military and political target and thus he and his unit will be under extra risk. Additional resources will have to be provided to 'cover' him and his (and his unit's) location will be under threat of exposure from the media coverage.

Sadly, at least in this particular war, there is no place for the gallant Prince.

Daniel Murphy, Dorchester, UK

I fear for him, just as I do for every other mother's son out there trying to fix the mess made by politicians. But he should go. One of the few things that I admire our royal familly for is their tradition of putting their sons in the firing line with regular servicemen and women. Whereas the politician's children..............

Tom Sykes, Huddersfield, UK

Prince Andrew in the Falklands and George VI at Jutland were taking the same chances as any other combatant. Harry in Iraq will be in a different situation. He will be a significant target for any terrorist organization to claim as prize. If the Green Zone is not immune from attacks what hope is there for a soldier in the field.

Ian Ingram, Melbourne, Australia

I thought he should go but with the MoD as "the enemy in the rear" I think it is now too dangerous for the country and the units. Force Security is critical and with the MoD being a liability I do not think Harry should have fellow soldiers on his conscience - it is not a personal virility test but a dedicated attempt to avoid a rout as Blair's departure heightens Iranian-backed terrorism.

TomTom, Leeds, England

Prince Harry has already shown his willingness to go into that hell hole. But the Prime Minister has the responsibility to best place the kingdom's assets and Iraq is not the place for him. He will be a constant worry for everybody and this increases the risk to his comrades unecessarily.
There are plenty of other challenging places to place him and Britain would be wise to put sound judgement back to work again as we all should. Its time to stop letting the insurgents set the agenda increasing our risks and costs and for all of us to assymetricize them for a change.

Brian Stewart, Los Angeles,

It's a sad state of affairs, when any person has to risk their life in war. Prince Harry has received the same training and prepared himself to face the same situations as his comrades. As a soldier he will expect to face the same risks as his men.
If the politicians decide that he is not to go, then any future commitments the Royal family has with the military will simply be seen as a charade.

Alan, Perth,

Its only right that Harry goes, its his chosen carear and good luck to him.

mathew, shanghai , china