Britain’s Prince Charles Visits Afghanistan

Britain's Prince Charles listens to a British soldier at Camp Pimon in Helmand Province.

Britain's Prince Charles made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan today, stopping in Helmand Province where his younger son, Harry, served for 10 weeks until his secret deployment was leaked to the media.

The 61-year-old heir to the British throne said troops can keep themselves busy in the field, but the experience is “ghastly” for the relatives left behind.

Britain has lost 276 troops since the war began in 2001, second only to the United States for foreign military losses in Afghanistan.

British soldiers have mainly been tasked with battling the Taliban in Helmand, the center of Afghanistan's illegal narcotics trade that has financed the militant group.

compiled from agency reports