New Idea is what it is, let’s not kid ourselves here, women’s gossip mags are notorious for making stuff up to assist in the entertaining of women all over the globe. So it wasn’t, I think, really as much a deliberate breach of trust on their part when early this year they published a story detailing Prince Harry’s active service in Afghanistan.

It is right, however, with the story being picked up by the world’s media and cutting his tour of duty short on security grounds, that New Idea has come out and apologised for releasing sensitive details about the prince’s deployment in the war zone.

However, what probably would have been a very minor story was unfortunately brought to the attention of the world, that the Queen’s own grandson and 3rd in line for the British, and hence Australian, throne is serving in the War On Terror and ensuring peace and democracy eventuate in that volatile region.

I know of no other national leader who has a child or grandchild who puts his life out there for his nation’s, and as a result, the world’s interests.

Let’s not forget also that the Queen herself drove trucks during WWII and her son Andrew flew a helicopter in the Falklands War.

I am so proud that Prince Harry, despite the pathetic rumblings of so many regarding his privilidged entry into adulthood, is actually prepared to give the greatest sacrifice.

Such is just one of the many virtues of our monarchy. After all, can you imagine George W. Bush’s daughters or Kevin’s sons out there as troops on the ground? I think not. And yet they have the audacity to send sons and daughters of others off to fight their wars.