Prince Harry has responded to President Trump’s comments aimed at NATO soldiers who fought and died in Afghanistan with the release of two rare pictures. The US President told Fox News that NATO troops stayed away from the front line, repeating his suggestion that America’s allies would not support it in a military conflict if asked.
The 79-year-old falsely claimed alliance forces “stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines” in Afghanistan, sparking outrage from veterans, military families and politicians. The 41-year-old, who served in the British Army for ten years, has stood up for his fellow soldiers with a newly-released statement after seeing Trump’s insults.
His statement read: “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.
“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.
“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.”
Also in response, Harry has released two images of him on the front line in Afghanistan, taken by John Stillwell.
Both images showed Harry, who ended his service in 2015, in action on the frontline.
During his service, he rose to the rank of Captain – with two operational tours in Afghanistan as a Forward Air Controller and later as an Apache helicopter pilot.