'GMA' Anchor Calls Prince Harry 'Expendable'

First Published: March 4, 2008 8:48 PM EST Credit: AP

Caption Prince Harry serving on the front line in Afghanistan. He has been there since December.

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Following Prince Harry’s homecoming from Afghanistan, “Good Morning America” anchor Chris Cuomo joked the only reason the Prince had been sent into battle was because Harry was “expendable.”

Cuomo made the remark while hosting Monday morning’s show – much to the surprise of co-anchor Robin Roberts.

"We all know about Prince William — he's the man, he's the heir. Harry has been over in Afghanistan fighting because he's expendable,” Cuomo said on national TV.

“What did you say?” a shocked Roberts interrupted.

“It’s true,” Cuomo continued, not backing off of his assertion. “The reason that Harry is allowed to be in Afghanistan is because he's not the heir to the throne. William's not allowed to be there…. that’s why [Harry is] there.”

Prince Harry returned to Britain last week from duty in Afghanistan after news of his deployment was leaked. Reports suggested he was pulled from the region over concerns that media coverage could put him and his comrades at increased risk.

Harry, third in line to the British throne, has been serving on the front line with an army unit in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province since mid-December.

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