Charles in Afghanistan: Prince makes historic trip

Charles, who represents a number of charities working for service personnel and is Commander in Chief of 10 regiments, spent the night with soldiers at Camp Bastion, in Helmand Province, after becoming the "the only Royal in living memory" to visit Kabul.

The Prince flew in an RAF Chinook into the Afghan National Army brigade camp of Shorabak, close to Camp Bastion, where he was greeted by an Afghan guard of honour before speaking with Afghan troops and their British mentors from 2nd Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment.

He later flew to Camp Bastion where he laid a wreath paying tribute to dead soldiers. The Prince, who wore combat gear and ate at the troops' canteen, also had the chance to try out mine clearance equipment.

In a visit to Kabul, he met Afghanistan government Ministers as well as tribal and religious leaders

The senior Royal, whose close friend Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe became the most senior British officer to die in Afghanistan last year, paid tribute to the "extraordinary" work of the troops and reconstruction teams and said he wished to say "thank you".

He said, as a parent, he recognised the anguish felt by families of serving soldiers were feeling. Prince Harry was deployed for 10 weeks with the Household Cavalry Regiment before being flown home in February 2008 amid fears for his safety.