Prince Harry Condemns Trump’s False Claims About British Troops in Afghanistan

Prince Harry has publicly rebuked former US President Donald Trump over false statements regarding British and NATO allies’ contributions to the Afghanistan conflict. The Duke of Sussex, who completed two frontline tours in Afghanistan as an Army Air Corps co-pilot gunner, emphasized that the sacrifices of British soldiers “deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect.”

Trump claimed in a recent Fox News interview that NATO allied troops “stayed a little off the front lines” in Afghanistan and suggested America had “never needed” its NATO partners. These remarks have drawn widespread condemnation from veterans, political leaders, and military officials across the United Kingdom.

“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,” Prince Harry stated in his response issued Friday afternoon.

Drawing from his personal experience, the Duke continued: “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.”

The reality of NATO’s contributions stands in stark contrast to Trump’s characterization. According to veteran charity Help for Heroes, more than 1,100 non-US coalition fighters died in the conflict that began in 2001, with British forces suffering the second-highest number of casualties after the United States. In total, more than 2,300 US service members were killed during the war.

Critics have been quick to highlight the irony in Trump’s statements, noting his own avoidance of military service during the Vietnam War through five draft deferments in the 1960s and 1970s.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called Trump’s remarks “insulting and frankly appalling,” demanding an apology for statements that have “caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured.” The Prime Minister’s office stated unequivocally that Trump “was wrong to diminish the role of NATO troops, including British forces, in Afghanistan” and affirmed their service and sacrifice “will never be forgotten.”

Military leaders have been equally direct in their criticism. Admiral Lord West, former head of the Royal Navy who coordinated naval activity in Afghanistan, called the comments “disgraceful” and inappropriate for “the head of state of an allied nation.”

Defence minister Al Carns, who himself served five tours in Afghanistan, invited anyone who believes Trump’s claim to “come have a whisky with me, my colleagues, their families, and importantly, the families of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for both of our nations.”

The controversy has resonated deeply with families of fallen soldiers. Lucy Aldridge, whose 18-year-old son William died in the conflict, described Trump’s remarks as “extremely upsetting,” telling The Mirror that the former president had “no compassion whatsoever for anyone who doesn’t serve him.”

Former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair, who initially committed British troops to support America in Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks, responded through a spokesperson, acknowledging “the enormous contribution and sacrifice British troops made in Afghanistan on the front line of the fight against terrorism.”

Prince Harry served in the military for a decade, fighting the Taliban in 2007 before returning for a second tour in 2012 as a qualified Apache aircraft commander. The British press dubbed him the “Warrior Prince” and “Harry the Brave” during his military service, which ended when he left the Army in March 2015.

The criticism of Trump’s comments has crossed political lines in Britain, with Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch calling the claims “flat-out nonsense” and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey questioning how Trump could “dare question their sacrifice” given his own avoidance of military service.