The former head of the Army has said that Prince Harry should be allowed to leave Las Vegas behind to do his bit as a highly-trained Apache pilot in Afghanistan.

Speaking on day one of the 27-year-old royal's deployment, General Sir Richard Dannatt said: "After he got back from Las Vegas, his commanding officer undoubtedly would have had a very short, sharp interview with him, without coffee, and reminded him that officers in public keep their clothes on.

"I think we just need to forget all that."

"It was a fling before he deployed on operations to Afghanistan," he continued.

"He is a fine, young chap, a great officer and let's just put that behind us."