Britain's Prince Harry receives Afghanistan medal

Britain's Prince Harry received his first army campaign medal as his regiment was decorated for its service in Afghanistan in a ceremony here Monday.

Harry, 23, third in line to the throne, was among 170 members of the Household Cavalry decorated by his aunt Princess Anne in her capacity as colonel of the Blues and Royals regiment which the prince belongs to.

Harry's girlfriend Chelsy Davy, brother Prince William and father Prince Charles watched the ceremony at Combermere Barracks in Windsor, west of London.

Known as Lieutenant Wales in the army, Harry served at Garmsir and Musa Qala in the southern province of Helmand during a four-month tour which for him ended in February after 10 weeks when a news blackout was broken.

The prince, dressed in fatigues and blue beret, smiled during a 30-second conversation with Anne.

Following the medal ceremony, Harry marched with his comrades through the streets of Windsor to the garrison church for a service of thanksgiving.

Britain has some 7,800 troops in Afghanistan as part of the 40-nation NATO-led coalition. Most are based in Helmand, where fighting against Taliban insurgents has been among the fiercest.