Prince Harry received his first medal yesterday (05.05.08) – from his aunt Princess Anne.


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Harry was honoured for his time in Afghanistan, where he spent 10 weeks as a Forward Air Controller. The prince grinned and shared a joke with his aunt, who was there in her capacity of colonel of the Blues and Royals.

The ceremony, held to honour 170 members of the Household Cavalry Regiment, was witnessed by Harry’s father Prince Charles and brother Prince William.

Harry’s girlfriend Chelsy Davy also witnessed the ceremony at Combermere Barracks in Windsor – her first formal event with the prince. Harry was meant to serve in Afghanistan for four months, but the trip was cut short after a media blackout on his whereabouts was broken.

However, his hopes of returning to Afghanistan were recently dashed.

The 23-year-old royal – who returned to the UK on March 1 – was told he will not see further frontline action “any time soon”.

General Sir Richard Dannatt, head of the British Army, said: “There may well be some point in the future where it will be appropriate to deploy him somewhere – but that is not going to happen any time soon.”