Prince Harry steps off a plane at RAF Brize Norton England after returning from Afghanistan, March1, 2008.
Anwar Hussein Collectino / Wire Image

CelebNews@Usmagazine.com! - Prince Harry Arrives Back in England

Prince Harry returned home to Britain Saturday after a top secret layover in the desert and a debriefing at a Nato base.

The 23-year-old royal, who had been serving in Afghanistan since December, arrived on a RAF Tristar transporter plane at RAF Brize Norton in Oxford at 11.29am.

"He looked absolutely shattered," an onlooker tells Usmagazine.com. "I wouldn't say he looked happy to be back, but he was chatting and laughing with some of the other soldiers. He looked very red from the sun!"

News of the prince's tour of duty led to his departure from Afghanistan Thursday. In compliance with the Ministry of Defense, Us participated in a reporting embargo on Harry's deployment but the news was widely posted after an item on the Drudge Report.

The prince – dubbed "Harry the Hero" by some press outlets – was among approximately 170 British soldiers returning from duty in Afghanistan.

His father, Prince Charles, and brother, Prince William, greeted him at the arrival hall.

"It's a great relief to see him home in one piece," Prince Charles told reporters. "It's been quite difficult also having to keep quiet about the fact he was serving in that part of the world. People kept saying to me, 'You must be so frustrated about Harry not being able to serve abroad.' I would say he's on exercise somewhere."

Prince Charles added, "I've been incredibly proud of Harry and I promise you... equally proud of all the dedicated service given by all our armed forces."

"It was a happy family reunion," a fellow soldier told a photographer at the airport. "We're all happy to be back."

Before leaving Afghanistan, Prince Harry made an emotional call to girlfriend Chelsy Davy. "It was one of the happiest and emotional moments of her life," a source tells Us. "She was in a state of ecstasy and tears."

Prince William, 25, could be the next royal deployed. UK newspaper The Sun reports that under his own request he is to serve on the front line aboard a Royal Navy warship. He will serve in one of the world's dangerspots for at least 30 days later this year, according to the paper.

Click here to see a video of the prince in Afghanistan discussing his service, what Princess Diana would think, and corresponding with his father.

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