Apparently, the Duke of Edinburgh gas has paid a "surprise visit" to the cavalry in Basra today.
I understand that his request to burst out of a cake was refused, due to the state of tension in the region which has left some of the troops either shell-shocked, trigger-happy, or both.
It seems that senior officers were keen to avoid a repeat of the "Belfast Incident" of 1978, when, at the height of the troubles, the Duke—a keen amateur illusionist—arrived unexpectedly in the middle of the bomb disposal unit's Christmas dinner via a trapdoor, with a simultaneous "Flash & Bang" whilst shouting Ahah! with arms outstretched, holding his cape aloft. As the smoke cleared, the impact of the inappropriate gesture became only too apparent.
Fortunately for the Hussars today, the Queen's consort was introduced slowly and in full view, and the whole affair passed without incident.
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