Prince Harry of Great Britain has been serving with the British Army on the front lines in Afghanistan since December and has seen combat, the Ministry of Defense said on Thursday.

Harry, who is third in line for the British throne, has been deployed with the Blues and Royals regiment but his status is under review, he said.

The head of the army, Chief of the General Staff Sir Richard Dannat, said Harry's deployment had been kept a secret through an agreement with the media.

What the last two months have shown is that it is perfectly possible for Prince Harry to be employed just the same as other Army officers of his rank and experience, he said according to CNN.

His conduct on operations in Afghanistan has been exemplary. He has been fully involved in operations and has run the same risks as everyone else in his Battlegroup.

The story was leaked by an Australian magazine and a German newspaper, the Associated Press reported.

Harry, 23, has been stationed in Helmand province where most of Britain's troops are stationed.

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