The Army's royal dilemma
By Paul Adams
BBC defence correspondent
Prince Harry's imminent deployment to Iraq poses some critical questions for the military.
Prince Harry would be the first royal to see active service since 1982
It is hardly surprising the Ministry of Defence says the issue is under constant review.
In one sense, the calculation is a fairly simple one - would Prince Harry's presence in Maysan province involve an unacceptable level of risk - not just for him but for those serving with him?
Reports in recent days have quoted Iraqi insurgents as saying that the prince would be targeted and that his photograph was being disseminated among fighters in the south.
MoD officials say they have received similar intelligence reports.
They also point out that April has already proved one of the most deadly months for British soldiers since the end of major combat operations in 2003.
Insurgent threats
Eleven soldiers have died, including two from the Queen's Royal Lancers, who were killed in Maysan province when their Scimitar armoured reconnaissance vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb.
If the prince is not sent to Iraq, this might be seen as a propaganda coup by insurgents
As a troop commander with the Blues and Royals, Prince Harry would be expected operate in exactly the same type of vehicle, in the same province.
If insurgent threats are to be believed, does that mean that Harry's deployment could place all Scimitar units in Maysan in danger?
So in some ways, the military's decision is a simple one, based on risk assessment.
Security handover
But as British forces enter the final leg of their long and uncomfortable mission in Iraq, there are, needless to say, other factors at play.
The government wants Britain's gradual withdrawal from southern Iraq to be seen as orderly, successful and not driven by casualties.
Most agree that Prince Harry should be allowed to fulfil his ambition and serve
Perceptions surrounding this process will be crucial, for Iraqis and for the British public.
If the prince is not sent to Iraq, this might be seen as a propaganda coup by insurgents keen on speeding up Britain's departure from southern Iraq.
At a time when primary responsibility for security in Maysan has just been handed over to the Iraqis, anything that points to a deteriorating security situation there will serve to undermine Iraqi and British plans.
Public disclosure
But if he does go and is wounded, then the situation - potentially - is worse.
And what if others are wounded in a way that even appears to have something to do with his presence?
Most agree that Prince Harry should be allowed to fulfil his ambition and serve.
But as a junior officer, he also knows that his job is to go where he is told to go and do what he is told to do.
If the military's review, led by the Chief of the General Staff, Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, concludes the dangers are too great, then the prince may well find himself doing less than he wants.
Whether this will be a matter of public knowledge is hard to know.
