Donald Trump’s recent claim that British soldiers were “far away from the front lines” during the war in Afghanistan has struck a chord, especially with Prince Harry, who served in the British Army for more than a decade. The 41-year-old didn’t waste any time blaming the US president, but his father King Charles reportedly wished his son would have reacted differently. Read on for more information.
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King Charles ‘shocked’ by Prince Harry’s reaction to Donald Trump
Prince Harry’s very public reaction to Donald Trump’s comments has put King Charles in a “very uncomfortable” position, especially ahead of his and Queen Camilla’s upcoming visit to the United States, royal reporter Rob Schuette reports. Schutte reported that Charles “understood the sentiment, but he was shocked by the timing.”
“This is diplomacy, not podcast politics,” an insider told Shute. “Harry’s comments make an already sensitive situation even more difficult. The king cannot fight back – even if he agrees.”
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Donald Trump’s claims about NATO allies
In an interview with Fox News last week, Donald Trump questioned whether NATO allies would be “there” if the United States “needed” them.
“I always say, ‘If we need them, will they be there?’ That’s really the ultimate test. I’m not sure about that. I know we’ll be there, or we’ll be there, but will they be there?” he asked.
“We never needed them,” he continued. “We never really asked them anything. You know, they would say they sent some troops to Afghanistan, or this or that. And they did — they stayed back, away from the front lines.”
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Prince Harry responds to Trump’s claims
These claims by Donald Trump have angered many members of the NATO alliance, including Britain. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Trump’s comments “insulting and frankly shocking,” and even Prince Harry had more than a few words to say about it.
Prince Harry released a statement on the topic through a spokesperson. “In 2001, Article V was invoked for the first and only time in NATO’s history,” he said, referring to the mutual defense clause that was activated after the attacks of September 11, 2001. “That means every ally has an obligation to stand with the United States in Afghanistan and pursue our shared security. Allies have answered that call.”
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“I served there. I made lifelong friends there. I lost friends there,” he continued. “457 military personnel lost their lives in the UK alone. Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children lost their parents. Families bore the cost.”
He concluded: “These sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and respectfully, as we all remain united and loyal to the defense of diplomacy and peace.” Prince Harry has long been a supporter and defender of Britain’s veterans, having founded the Invictus Games in 2014, an international Paralympic-style event for injured, injured and sick service members and veterans.