Prince Harry has joined Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in a rare and powerful rebuke of former US President Donald Trump's controversial remarks about British and NATO troops in Afghanistan. The Duke of Sussex, who served two tours in Afghanistan, issued a heartfelt statement asserting that British sacrifices deserve to be discussed with truth and respect.
A Veteran's Perspective on Sacrifice
In his statement, Prince Harry highlighted his personal experiences, noting, "I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there. The United Kingdom alone had 457 service personnel killed." He elaborated on the profound impact, stating, "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." The Duke emphasised that these sacrifices must be honoured truthfully and respectfully, reinforcing unity in defence of diplomacy and peace.
Support from Invictus Games Athlete
James Rose, an Invictus Games athlete who lost both legs above the knee while serving in Afghanistan, spoke to Sky News about Prince Harry's involvement. He described the Duke as "just like one of the lads" and noted his frontline service. Rose pointed out that the Invictus Games, founded by Harry, serve as a recovery pathway for injured troops, underscoring the reality of frontline combat. "If we weren't serving on the front line and being injured, then I don't think that the Invictus Games would have come about," he remarked.
Political and Public Outcry
The criticism from Prince Harry followed Sir Keir Starmer's earlier condemnation, where the Prime Minister labelled Trump's comments as "insulting and frankly appalling" and suggested an apology was warranted. Downing Street also weighed in, with a spokesman stating that Trump was "wrong" to diminish the role of NATO and British troops, highlighting the 457 British deaths and many hundreds wounded in sustained combat operations.
Families and Veterans React with Fury
Veterans and their families expressed deep anger over Trump's claims. Diane Dernie, mother of Ben Parkinson—the most severely injured British soldier to survive the war—called the remarks "the ultimate insult." She recounted her son's injuries from a 2006 mine blast and criticised Trump's dismissal of frontline service. Similarly, Robert Dicketts, whose son Oliver was killed in Afghanistan, shared his outrage, stating, "When I read it, I thought, 'What a bloody cheek!'"
Defence Community Stands United
Defence Minister Al Carns, a veteran of five tours in Afghanistan, responded strongly, saying, "We shed blood, sweat and tears together. Not everybody came home." He described Trump's comments as "ridiculous" and praised the courage of service personnel from various nations. Tory MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who served as a captain in Afghanistan, expressed sadness at seeing the nation's sacrifice "held so cheaply" and noted that US military personnel likely disagree with Trump's views.
Historical Context and NATO's Role
The UK suffered the second-highest number of military deaths in the Afghanistan conflict, with 457 fatalities, while the US saw 2,461. America's allies accounted for 1,160 deaths, about a third of total coalition losses. Defence Secretary John Healey reminded that NATO's Article 5 was triggered only once, with the UK and allies answering the US call, and he honoured the fallen as "heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation."
Former UK ambassador to Afghanistan Sir Nicholas Kay added to the criticism, stating that Trump "clearly does not value and appreciate NATO in the same way he ought to" and accused him of inaccuracy with facts. This incident follows previous tensions, such as when US Vice President JD Vance faced backlash for comments perceived as disrespectful to British troops.
