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Prince Harry Awarded Afghan Medal

By The Associated Press via Salon.com

Published: Mon, May 05, 2008 - 8:25 am Last Updated: Mon, May 05, 2008 - 8:34 am

Short URL: http://wkrg.com/a/13523/

LONDON -- A grinning and blushing Prince Harry was given a medal for his service in Afghanistan on Monday by his aunt, Princess Anne.

The young red-haired royal struggled to contain a smile as the princess pinned the Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan to his desert fatigues in a ceremony at the Combermere Barracks in Windsor, west of London.

Harry was among 170 members of his unit, the Household Cavalry Regiment, who were decorated for their service in Afghanistan as friends and family looked on.

The 23-year-old prince's deployment there was cut short earlier this year after news of his mission became public. But he served about 10 weeks — enough to meet the four-week minimum required to receive the medal.

Harry's girlfriend, Chelsy Davy, and his older brother, Prince William, both looked on as Harry received his medal. Led by a marching band, Harry and his comrades then marched across Windsor from their barracks to a church for a thanksgiving service.