Prince Edward visits troops in Afghanistan

SANGIN, Afghanistan, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Prince Edward, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II, made an unadvertised visit to British troops in Afghanistan, Buckingham Palace said Thursday.

The prince arrived in Helmand Province late Tuesday and spent 24 hours there, Sky News reported. Edward visited with soldiers from the unit he serves as honorary colonel, 2nd Battalion, The Rifles, in Sangin.

Edward, who also has the title Earl of Wessex, trained briefly as a Royal Marine officer after he graduated from university but resigned to pursue his interest in theater. His older brother, Andrew, served as a helicopter pilot in the Falklands War, while his nephew, Prince Harry, served in Afghanistan until his presence there became public.

The prince ate dinner with the troops Wednesday before leaving for Bahrain, where he visited British sailors Thursday.

"I wish you the best of luck for the last few weeks. I hope it is painless and productive," he said in a speech to the soldiers.