LONDON — The secret is out: Prince Harry has been serving with his British army unit in one of Afghanistan's most lawless provinces.

Harry is the first royal to serve in a combat zone since his uncle Prince Andrew flew helicopters during Britain's war with Argentina over the Falkland Islands in 1982.

British officials had hoped to keep the 23-year-old's deployment secret until he had safely returned, but they released video of Harry serving in Helmand Province after a leak appeared on the U.S. Web site the Drudge Report.

Although he is still in Afghanistan, military chiefs are considering if he should be moved. Tours to Afghanistan usually last six months, but Harry has served just 10 weeks.

Harry, the third in line to the British throne, was supposed to go to Iraq with the Blues and Royals regiment last May but the assignment was scrapped because of security fears. Iraqi insurgents made threats on Internet chat rooms, saying he would not make it home alive.

Harry has been in Helmand Province, where most of the 7,800 British soldiers in Afghanistan are based. It has seen some of the country's fiercest combat in recent years between NATO-led forces and Taliban and al-Qaida militants.

Before his posting, Harry had been better known for his love of the nightclub dance floors.