Princes William and Harry paid tribute to killed soldier friend

May 4 2008

PRINCES William and Harry last night paid tribute to a soldier killed by a mine blast in Afghanistan.

Trooper Ratu Babakobau, a married dad-of-two, was a member of William's 60-strong squadron.

It is part of the Household Cavalry Regiment in which Harry also serves.

A Clarence House spokesman said: "Prince William and Prince Harry are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Trooper Babakobau and their thoughts are with his family."

Three other British soldiers were hurt in the explosion when their vehicle drove over a mine in Nowzad, Helmand. An Afghan was also injured.

They are being treated at the Camp Bastion military hospital.

Captain Tom Long, of the regiment's D Squadron in which Fijian Babakobau, 29, served, said: "He was a larger-than-life character with a hugely infectious smile."

It takes the death toll of British service personnel in Afghanistan since 2001 to 95.