2pm GMT update Prince Harry to be recalled from Afghanistan
Prince Harry is to be pulled out "immediately" from Afghanistan after a news blackout on his deployment broke down, the Ministry of Defence confirmed today.
The 23-year-old is 10 weeks into a 14-week tour but army chiefs have decided the risk is too great, amid fears the Taliban will step up attacks on British bases.
"This decision has been taken primarily on the basis that the worldwide media coverage of Prince Harry in Afghanistan could impact on the security of those who are deployed there, as well as the risks to him as an individual soldier," said the MoD.
US political blog the Drudge Report publicised Harry's posting yesterday, repeating a report from an Australian women's magazine and thus bringing to an end a voluntary agreement by the British media to keep it secret until he returned.
The MoD described the decision to report the prince's presence in Afghanistan without consulting it as "regrettable" and said his situation had "clearly changed" as a result.
It said the decision to withdraw Harry had been taken by Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, chief of defence staff, in consultation with General Sir Richard Dannatt, chief of the general staff and head of the army, "following a detailed assessment of the risks".
Gordon Brown said the prince had served with "great distinction" but it was the "right decision" for him to return.
"Everybody wants to thank him and all our serving forces for the courage and professionalism they show," said the prime minister.
The Queen, visiting a care home in Windsor, said her grandson had done a "good job in a difficult climate".
The role of the prince has been to direct aircraft to enemy positions in Garmser, south of Helmand province, close to the Pakistan border. But last night, defence forces said he was no longer there.
His recall from the frontline will come as a bitter blow to the prince who was last year refused permission to fight in Iraq with the soldiers he had led throughout his army career.
Initially the MoD had said the prince would serve with his unit just like any other soldier.
But Dannatt later announced Harry would not be going after intelligence reports of a series of specific threats to the prince and his fellow soldiers.
Harry had threatened to resign his commission following the decision and a special role for the prince to take up in Afghanistan was carved out in an attempt to placate him.
In a pre-prepared interview that was meant to be broadcast after his return, the prince said: "I think there's a lot of guys where who hopefully won't be targeted, but as I say now that this film has been made and now… people will know I'm out here no doubt I'll be a top target."
He flew out to Afghanistan on December 14 and had been due to complete a four-month tour without the standard two-week rest and recreation break other soldiers enjoy.
The MoD thanked the UK media for its "responsible attitude" in maintaining the news blackout and asked that it "refrain from speculating on his [Harry's] current location, timelines and routes" until his return.
Prince Henry of Wales
Prince Harry has today been ordered to return home, after details that the 23 year old's front line engagement was leaked by an American website.  The details of the Prince's engagement had previously been kept secret by many British and international news agencies, including the BBC and the Associated Press.

The leak of the information was said to be "regrettable" by the Ministry of Defence, however this meant that Prince Harry was ordered to return home due to fears for his, and the others in his unit's safety.  Prince Harry will be flown home "immediately", after 10 weeks of front line service.  During this he worked as a Joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) and was involved in major operations on the frontline against Taliban forces.

The media blackout was created to lower the risk to the royal, whilst in service in Afghanistan, and was the first large scale agreement of its kind.  The media groups who signed up to the agreement were rewarded with interviews with the Prince.