LONDON: Prince Harry was on Thursday banned from having any more drunken bouts at night clubs for the next six months. The party-loving royal has been told by his commanding officers in the army that he must ‘lie low’ while his unit is away in Iraq.
Prince Harry, third in line to the British throne, was prevented two days ago from joining his regiment, the Blues and Royals, in Iraq because of the security risk it would pose. He was then given a pep talk by military advisers about how there would be a terrible backlash from the public if the 22-year-old Prince was pictured boozing in London while soldiers from his squadron were under fire in Iraq.
“It has been made clear that these drunken nights out are strictly off limits. Harry totally accepts how bad it would look for him to be out enjoying himself while others risk their lives,” a royal source told The Sun newspaper. The young prince has attracted a lot of bad publicity recently with his antics both inside and outside his favourite London clubs like Boujis, Mahiki, Pangaea and Purple.
“We have no right to put Harry under a curfew or to stop him going out for a drink, but it is just a case of him lying low and reining himself in until they are home safely,” said the source. Cornet Wales, as 2nd Lieutenant Harry is known in his regiment, may also be transferred to doing ceremonial duties guarding his grandmother the Queen with the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. His future role in the army is being reconsidered particularly as now it is unlikely that he will ever be allowed to see combat.
The Blues and Royals are part of the Household Cavalry, along with the Life Guards. Harry is currently based at Combermere Barracks, Windsor, but would transfer to Knightsbridge, London for the new role. Army chiefs are desperate that he stays in the service.
The Prince’s long-term girlfriend Chelsy Davy, also known for enjoying the high-life, has decided to cancel the next leg of her round the world tour. She was due to leave for Mexico next week, but will now spend the summer in London with Harry.
