One of the prince's fellow soldiers in the Household Cavalry Blues and Royals told The Daily Telegraph he has "made no secret" of his desire to go to Afghanistan when his regiment is returned there next year.

"With one mission under his belt, he has the skills and experience which will make him an extremely valuable member of the battle group," the source said.

Harry spent 10 weeks in Afghanistan with his regiment. The news media had agreed not to report on his deployment to keep him from being a target, and he was returned to Britain when a Web site revealed his whereabouts.

The royal family would not comment on his military plans.

"Prince Harry is committed to his career in the army and he remains ready to do whatever is required," a spokesman for his father, Prince Charles, said.

The royal family has a tradition of military service. His father served in both the Royal Air Force and Navy; Harry's uncle, Prince Andrew, was a helicopter pilot in the Falklands; his grandfather, Prince Philip, a naval officer during World War II; and his great-grandfather, the future King George VI, served in the Navy in World War I.