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Controversial remarks by US President Donald Trump Questions about NATO troops in Afghanistan prompted a scathing rebuke from Prince Harry, with the Duchess of Sussex later publicly expressing support.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump claimed that NATO troops were “far away from the front lines” during the conflict and claimed that the United States “never needed” its allies. The assertion came despite the alliance invoking the collective defense clause after the 9/11 attacks.
Prince Harry, a veteran of two tours on the front line in Afghanistan, responded on Friday night, saying the sacrifices of British soldiers “deserve to be talked about honestly and respectfully”.
In a show of solidarity with her husband, the duchess posted a series of photos to her Instagram Story highlighting Harry’s extensive military service and his ongoing role as patron of the Invincible Games.
One photo shows the Duke aboard a military aircraft, while other photos show veterans celebrating and competing at games.
During a decade-long full-time military career, the Duke fought against the Taliban in 2007 and returned to Afghanistan for a second tour of duty in 2012, where he qualified as an Apache aircraft commander.
Harry said the conflict in Afghanistan had changed “thousands of lives”:
“In 2001, Article 5 was invoked for the first and only time in NATO’s history.
“This means every ally has an obligation to stand with the United States in Afghanistan and pursue our mutual security.
“Allies answered the call.
“I served there. I made lifelong friends there. I lost friends there.
“In the UK alone, 457 military personnel lost their lives.
“Thousands of lives have been changed forever.
“Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters.
“Children lost their parents. Families had to bear the costs.
“These sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and respectfully as we all remain united and loyal to the defense of diplomacy and peace.”
Harry began training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in May 2005.
He became a cornet player with the Blues and Royals, joined the Household Cavalry and began training in May 2006 to become a captain in the Armored Reconnaissance Unit.
He spent four and a half months learning how to become a scout at Bovington Camp in Dorset.
In February 2007, the British Ministry of Defense confirmed that Prince Harry would go on a six-month deployment to Iraq, making him the first member of the royal family to serve in a conflict zone in 25 years.
Three months later, however, just before Harry was due to leave, intelligence revealed that the rebels were specifically planning to target him and that it would be too dangerous to allow him to leave, so he was removed from his post.
The Duke reportedly became frustrated and considered quitting, but the prospect of a future trip to Afghanistan kept him in the army.
At the end of 2007, he carried out a 10-week mission to fight the Taliban in the dangerous Helmand Province, serving as a battlefield air controller behind enemy lines.
However, the secret mission ended prematurely after it was leaked on the Internet.
After returning home, Harry was dubbed “the warrior prince”, “brave Harry” and “one of our boys” by the media for his fight for his country.
In April 2008, the Duke was promoted from second lieutenant to lieutenant.
He hoped to return to Afghanistan and after undergoing rigorous training in the UK and US he retrained as an Apache helicopter pilot and qualified as an Apache helicopter pilot.
In April 2011, he was promoted to the rank of captain and his squadron commander awarded him the Apache Badge.
In September 2012, he returned to Afghanistan for a 20-week tour, which gave him the opportunity to use his Apache flying skills and begin operations as a co-pilot gunner.
In March 2015, Kensington Palace officially confirmed Prince Harry’s retirement, marking the end of his 10-year service.
Trump’s recent comments have drawn widespread condemnation from British political circles, with critics pointing to the British death toll in Afghanistan and highlighting Trump’s avoidance of military service in Vietnam.
Speaking in Downing Street, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the comments were “frankly shocking” and said the US president should apologize.