Prince Harry's regiment is to be sent to Iraq for a six-month tour of duty, defence officials have confirmed.
Harry would carry out "a normal troop commander's role" serving with his Blues and Royals regiment, they said.
The prince was praised by Prime Minister Tony Blair as a "brave and determined young man" with "a very special character".
He will be the first senior royal to serve on the front line since Prince Andrew in the Falklands in 1982.
The Royal household has been consulted throughout
This will involve "leading a troop of 12 men in four Scimitar armoured reconnaissance vehicles, each with a crew of three" from the regiment's "A squadron", a joint statement from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Clarence House said.
"The decision to deploy him has been a military one, made by Chief of General Staff, Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, in conjunction with Cornet Wales' commanding officer," it added.
"The Royal household has been consulted throughout."
Further details of exactly where Harry, 22, would serve, or his specific role, would not be released because such a move would be "potentially dangerous", the statement added. Speaking in an interview with the BBC on Thursday night, Mr Blair said Harry's determination to serve in Iraq was "very typical of him".
"He's a brave young man and he's a very determined young man who wants to be part of his regiment and part of the Army," he said.
"I think that shows a very special character on his part."