The Duchess of Sussex has publicly demonstrated support for her husband, Prince Harry, following his robust defence of British military personnel. This comes in response to controversial remarks made by former US President Donald Trump regarding NATO allies' contributions during the Afghanistan conflict.
Royal Solidarity Amid Political Controversy
In a clear gesture of unity, Meghan Markle utilised her Instagram platform to share a curated collection of photographs. These images poignantly highlighted Prince Harry's dedicated military service and his ongoing role as patron of the Invictus Games foundation. The visual tribute included a striking photograph of the Duke inside a military aircraft cockpit, alongside other powerful shots capturing veterans participating in and celebrating at the Invictus Games.
Trump's Provocative NATO Comments
The diplomatic row was ignited during a recent Fox News interview, where Mr Trump suggested that NATO troops had "stayed a little off the front lines" during the Afghanistan conflict. He further contended that the United States had "never needed" its allies, despite the historic invocation of NATO's Article 5 collective defence clause following the September 11 attacks. This clause obligated all allied nations to stand with the US in Afghanistan, a call that was answered by Britain and other partners.
Prince Harry's Personal Rebuttal
Prince Harry, who completed two frontline tours in Afghanistan, issued a formal statement on Friday evening. He emphasised that the sacrifices made by British soldiers "deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect". Drawing from his profound personal experience, the Duke stated: "I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there." He poignantly noted that the United Kingdom alone suffered 457 military fatalities, with thousands of lives irrevocably changed.
A Decade of Distinguished Military Service
Prince Harry's military career spanned a full decade, marked by significant commitment and bravery. He commenced his training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in May 2005, earning the rank of Cornet in the Blues and Royals regiment of the Household Cavalry.
Frontline Deployments and Challenges
His service included a perilous 10-week tour in Helmand Province in late 2007, where he served as a battlefield air controller. This covert mission was unfortunately cut short after operational details were leaked online. Determined to return to active duty, Harry retrained extensively, qualifying as an Apache helicopter pilot. He subsequently deployed again to Afghanistan in September 2012 for a 20-week tour, utilising his expertise as an Apache co-pilot gunner.
His initial planned deployment to Iraq in 2007 was withdrawn due to credible intelligence indicating he was a specific target for insurgents, a decision that reportedly left him heartbroken. Throughout his service, he was promoted from second lieutenant to captain and was widely praised in the press, earning monikers such as the "Warrior Prince". He formally concluded his active military service in March 2015.
Widespread Political Condemnation
Mr Trump's comments have provoked strong criticism across the UK political spectrum. From Downing Street, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the remarks as "frankly appalling" and suggested the former president should issue an apology. Other detractors have pointedly referenced both the scale of British sacrifices in Afghanistan and Mr Trump's own history of avoiding military service during the Vietnam War era.
The royal couple's coordinated response underscores the deeply personal nature of the issue for Prince Harry and highlights the ongoing respect for military service within public discourse. The episode reaffirms the Duke's enduring connection to the armed forces community and the Invictus Games, which supports wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women.
