Prince Harry has issued a powerful statement defending British troops after US President Donald Trump claimed NATO forces in Afghanistan "stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines" and were never needed. The Duke of Sussex, who served two combat tours in Afghanistan, emphasized that allied sacrifices "deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect."
Trump made the controversial remarks during a Fox News interview, reigniting tensions between the two figures. His comments triggered widespread condemnation across the UK political spectrum and drew a rare public response from Harry, who lost friends during his decade-long military career.
The Duchess of Sussex showed support for her husband by posting a series of photos on Instagram highlighting Harry's military service and his role as patron of the Invictus Games.
Harry's emotional response
Harry's statement on Friday evening carried personal weight. "In 2001, NATO invoked Article 5 for the first – and only – time in history. It meant that every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared security. Allies answered that call," he said.
"I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there. The United Kingdom alone had 457 service personnel killed. Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost," Harry continued.
He stressed: "Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defence of diplomacy and peace."
Political fallout intensifies
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned Trump's remarks as "insulting and frankly appalling" during a statement in Downing Street. He indicated the US president should apologize, saying: "I've made my position clear, and what I say to Diane is, if I had misspoken in that way or said those words, I would certainly apologise and I'd apologise to her."
The Prime Minister's spokesman added that "The President was wrong to diminish the role of NATO troops, including British forces, and their role in Afghanistan."
Health Minister Stephen Kinnock called the comments "deeply disappointing," noting that NATO invoked Article 5 to aid the US after 9/11. Defence Secretary John Healey stressed that "Those British troops should be remembered for who they were: heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation."
Military background
Harry served in the British Army from 2005 to 2015, including two frontline tours in Afghanistan. His first deployment was a 10-week stint in Helmand Province between 2007 and 2008. He returned for a 20-week tour in 2012 as an Apache helicopter pilot.
The Duke qualified as an Apache aircraft commander and rose to the rank of captain during his military career. The military canceled a planned deployment to Iraq in 2007 due to intelligence of a specific threat against him.
Trump, in contrast, has faced criticism for allegedly avoiding military service during the Vietnam War.
NATO has invoked the Article 5 collective defence clause only once in history, in 2001 following the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
