The Royalist - Prince Harry Reveals His 'Ultimate Dream'

Prince Harry Reveals His 'Ultimate Dream'

Written by Joanne Leyland

Sunday, 21 May 2006

Prince Harry has told friends and family that his "ultimate dream" is to become an elite member of the Armed Forces by joining the ranks of the SAS.

The fact Harry is even considering joining the SAS, whose famous motto is 'Who Dares Wins', isn't surprising as a high percentage of officers in the Household Cavalry go on to become members of the Special Air Service.

In recent months there've been claims that Harry will be guarded by a group of around three or four SAS soldiers whose sole job will be to protect him when his detachment are sent overseas. It is a plan which, perhaps understandably, was met with derision in many quarters.

Of Harry's desire to join the elite force, an unnamed source tells the Sunday Mirror: "At the moment he is looking to complete his time as a junior officer. But his aim is to apply for the SAS."

"Harry really has excelled at Sandhurst and that's given his confidence a big boost. His mentor, Major Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, was a highly respected soldier with the SAS during the Gulf War."

"Harry loves hearing about his time in the Special Forces. It has really fired his imagination."

Prince Harry will also have heard tales of life as an SAS soldier from Major-General Arthur Denaro. A member of Prince Charles's polo circle, Denaro tutored Harry with extra lessons to ensure the young Prince — who has never been a natural academic — passed his Sandhurst exams.

A royal adviser says of Harry: "He is confident he can make it, given the chance". The third-in-line to the throne has reportedly told his father, Prince Charles, and grandfather, former Naval officer Prince Philip, about his future plans and neither has objected.

A source at the Ministry of Defence (M.O.D), where there are reportedly fears at the highest level that Harry may be seen as a "trophy target" by terrorists, claims: "There is nothing stopping Harry trying to join the SAS or any other Special Forces regiment."

"If he succeeded in passing the selection procedures he may be advised by senior officers over what role he could play because of his position."

However, Clarence House is neither confirming nor denying the reports, a spokesman reiterating the Prince's current position: "The Prince is looking forward to a career in the Armed Forces. What exact form that takes is too early to tell."

On Monday, 21-year-old Harry will embark on the next stage of his Army career, spending four and a half months as a "recce soldier" on a troop commander course at Bovington Camp in Dorset,

Harry's parents had experience of life with the SAS when they joined a crack troop of soldiers on an anti-terrorist exercise, taking part in a mock attack on an embassy.

Royals are regularly trained by the most accomplished soldiers and bodyguards in the land in what they should do if they were to be the target of a hostile attack.

Clive Fairweather, one of those who witnessed Charles and Diana's private visit, recalls a hair-raising incident involving the Princess of Wales: "Diana was dressed up in SAS black kit and driving a Range Rover with one of the ground assault parties."

"She was told 'On no account get out of the vehicle.' But she did, and a flash-bang hit her, singeing her hair and covering her in flames, sparks and smoke. One of the SAS men with her beat out the flames."

The following day the Princess appeared on engagements wearing a new hairdo but for years nobody knew why she'd suddenly had such a dramatically short cut.

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