TV documentary to show 'Prince Harry' captured in Afghanistan

Channel 4 is to show a "dramatised documentary" based on what would happen if Prince Harry were taken prisoner serving in Afghanistan.

The 90-minute film, called The Taking of Prince Harry, features contributions from former hostages and intelligence experts.

It includes scenes showing the prince, played by actor Sebastian Reid, being held behind enemy lines while negotiations are carried out to free him.

Harry served in Afghanistan's Helmand province. His presence was kept secret because of worries that he could become a Taliban target if it became widely known that he had been deployed. He spent 10 weeks working as a forward air controller until his cover was blown on the internet and was flown home in February 2008.

The actor playing the prince is shown facing a mock execution at the hands of his captors and being made to appear in Taliban and al Qaeda propaganda.

Channel 4's head of documentaries, Hamish Mykura, said the broadcaster had informed Buckingham Palace about the film, but had not had a response.

He said he did not think that making the film increased the risk of potential high-profile kidnappings. Mr Mykura added that the Taliban had already discussed targeting the prince when it emerged he had served in the country.

He said: "I think it is just wrong to say that this would create a new idea that wasn't there already."

A spokesman for Clarence House said: "We won't be dignifying this with a response as it is a work of fiction."

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "It would be inappropriate to comment on any potential course of action in the event that a member of the Armed Forces was taken hostage as part of deployed operations. To do so may prejudice the operational security of any potential action."

A defence insider said: "The depiction — fictional or otherwise — of any British servicemen or members of the royal family is deeply distasteful."