Prince Harry stressed his commitment to being in the front line as he spoke of his time in Afghanistan and said he wanted to return to combat as early as summer.
The prince — who was beginning his journey back to Windsor Barracks today — spoke of his frustration at being in the media spotlight when at home in Britain.
Speaking in Afghanistan he said: “I don't want to sit around in Windsor. But I generally don't like England that much and, you know, it's nice to be away from all the press and the papers and all the general s***e they write.”
He also expressed hopes of being able to return to Afghanistan as early as this summer but that is now unlikely.
It's no surprise that Harry isn't keen on coming home. Away from the constant glare of paparazzi's cameras as he stumbles out of celebrity clubs, Harry appears to have thoroughly enjoyed his time out of the spotlight.
Today pictures were released which showed him enjoying a lighter moment on operation in Afghanistan.
They show a young Prince at ease with his surroundings and the men that he commands.
Riding a spluttering motorbike, he looks like a boy with a new toy as he careers across the desert, laughing as he goes.
"No brakes! No brakes!", the Prince shouts as he digs his heels into the dirt to stop the vehicle, which he had found abandoned moments earlier.
Harry, 23, a Cornet - or Second Lieutenant - in the Household Cavalry, has been playing his part in the war on the Taliban in Helmand Province since mid-December.
Today the Queen spoke of her pride in her grandson as she visited a care home in Windsor.
John Cooke, 81, a former Grenadier Guard, said: “I said to her 'we all think it's wonderful what Harry is doing'. She said 'yes, Harry is doing a good job in a very difficult climate'.”
The deployment was cloaked in secrecy to prevent the Taliban finding out and making him and his comrades a target.
But a news blackout broke down last night after details were leaked on influential foreign websites.
These pictures were taken in Afghanistan as part of a deal between the media and the Ministry of Defence, which allowed reporters access to the Prince in Helmand.
Details were to be held back until his expected safe return to the UK in April but can be now be released with MoD approval after the leaks.
The motorbike was found abandoned during a stop on a patrol in the desert in Spartan light tanks.
Harry dashed across to investigate the bike and check it was safe before wheeling it across to his fellow soldiers to try to get it started.
Ripping a spangly Afghan cushion off the Honda 6125, he joked that it did not fit with his soldier look.
But he nevertheless forgot to remove two fetching silk flowers attached to the front as he jumped on.
With Trooper Qoriniasi Matai Loloma, from Suva, Fiji, giving him a much-needed push the engine spluttered into life, allowing Harry to enjoy a few laps of the surrounding sand.
Then it was his turn to push as Lance Corporal Steve "Geri" Halliwell, from Bolton, had a go.
But as the engine spluttered and failed, Harry landed on his back in laughter - still not admitting defeat.
