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The Duke of Sussex has called for the sacrifices of NATO troops to be “talked about with truth and respect”, after the US president claimed the allies remained “a little bit behind” the front lines in Afghanistan.
“I served there. I made friends for life. And I lost friends there,” Prince Harry, who was twice deployed to the country, said on Friday as he paid tribute to NATO soldiers killed in the conflict, including 457 British servicemen.
The prince was reacting to controversial remarks made by Donald Trump in an interview on Thursday.
Trump’s comments drew condemnation from international allies, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calling them “insulting and frankly appalling”.
The UK and other countries joined the US in Afghanistan after NATO’s collective security clause was invoked in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
Prince Harry said: “In 2001, NATO invoked Article 5 for the first – and only – time in history. This meant that every allied nation was obligated to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our common security. The Allies responded to this call.
He added: “Thousands of lives have been changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried their sons and daughters. Children found themselves without parents. Families bear the cost.
“These sacrifices deserve to be remembered with truth and respect, as we all remain united and faithful to the defense of diplomacy and peace.”
The Duke’s comments follow Trump’s Fox News interview in which he said: “We never needed it.” We never really asked them anything.
“They will say they sent troops to Afghanistan…and they did, they stayed a little behind, a little behind the front lines.”
The president also said he was “not sure” the military alliance would be there for the United States “if we ever needed it.”
In the United Kingdom, Trump’s remarks were condemned across the political divide in the country.
Shortly before the prince’s statement, Sir Keir shared his own reaction, saying that if he himself had “misspoke in that way” he would “definitely apologise”.
Sir Keir said: “I will never forget their courage, their bravery and the sacrifice they made for their country.
“Many people were also injured, some with life-changing injuries.
“I consider President Trump’s remarks insulting and frankly appalling and I am not surprised that they have caused so much harm to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured and, in fact, across the country.”
Outside the UK, foreign government ministers have also criticized Trump’s remarks.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who was among 33,000 Polish soldiers who served on the front line in Afghanistan, said: “No one has the right to make fun of the service of our soldiers.”
Canadian Minister of National Defense David J. McGuinty said that “Canadian men and women were on the ground from the beginning, not because we had to, but because it was the right thing to do.”
He said 158 of their soldiers “paid the ultimate price” for leading allied efforts in Kandahar province.
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Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, former NATO secretary general during the Afghan war, told the BBC World Service: “No American president should have the freedom to downplay his legacy and insult those who are still grieving for not returning alive from Afghanistan.”
“What I would expect is a sincere apology from the president of the United States.”
In October 2001, the United States invaded Afghanistan to drive out the Taliban, who it said were sheltering Osama bin Laden and other al-Qaeda figures linked to the September 11 attacks. NATO countries contributed troops and military equipment to the war led by the United States.
More than 3,500 coalition troops died, about two-thirds of them Americans, in 2021 when the United States withdrew from the country. The United Kingdom recorded the second highest number of military deaths in the conflict, behind the United States, which suffered 2,461 deaths.
Most of the 457 British soldiers who died serving in Afghanistan over a period of almost 20 years were killed in Helmand, the scene of the heaviest fighting.
Hundreds more were injured and lost limbs, including Cpl Andy Reid, who lost both legs and his right arm after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan.
“There’s not a day that goes by that we don’t suffer, physically or mentally, thinking about this conflict,” he told BBC Breakfast.
Reid recalled working with American soldiers during his time in Afghanistan, adding, “If they were on the front lines and I was next to them, clearly we were on the front lines as well.” »
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Diane Dernie, whose son Ben Parkinson was seriously injured when an army Land Rover hit a mine near Musa Qala in 2006, said Trump’s comments were “very insulting” and difficult to hear.
The 41-year-old is currently recovering from another operation, but Dernie told the BBC that Trump’s comments showed “a childish man trying to distract from his own actions.”
Dernie called on Starmer to “defend his own armed forces” and challenge the US president.
His comments were submitted to the Prime Minister who responded: “I have made my position clear and what I am saying to Diane is that if I had misspoke in that way or if I had said those words I would certainly apologize and I would apologize to her.”
Giving a second BBC interview moments after Starmer’s statement, Dernie said the Prime Minister’s words were strong enough – but he should go further.
“His words were exactly what we wanted to hear, but we need those words spoken directly to the president,” Dernie said. “I appreciate what Starmer said, but you have to say it to Donald Trump.”
Throughout Friday, leaders of the major political parties in Westminster gave their reactions to Trump’s comments.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “I have spoken to the parents of young men who have lost their lives. It is a shame to denigrate their memory in this way.
“There’s too much reckless talk from President Trump. Obviously he doesn’t know the history of what happened. We shouldn’t have these kinds of throwaway remarks.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey criticized the US president’s comments: “Trump has avoided military service five times. How dare he question their sacrifice.”
Trump received five deferments from a military draft during the Vietnam War — four for academic reasons and one for bone spurs, a calcium buildup in his heels.
British Reform leader Nigel Farage said: “Donald Trump is wrong. For 20 years, our armed forces fought courageously alongside those of the United States in Afghanistan. »
US political and military figures have also expressed anger and frustration over Trump’s comments on NATO.
Former national security adviser Herbert Raymond McMaster, who served as a senior US officer in Afghanistan, said British forces were engaged in counter-insurgency operations on a daily basis.
“I think it’s insulting to those who fought alongside us,” McMaster told the BBC.
“What I would like him to say is to make amends by affirming our gratitude to our allies who fought alongside us, and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice in a war that I think was important, obviously, to the future of all humanity.”
During his second term, Trump repeatedly criticized NATO, often accusing its member states of not spending enough on defense.
In recent weeks, Trump has made comments about acquiring Greenland – a semi-autonomous territory from NATO ally Denmark.
Trump’s repeated remarks on property, threats of military action and tariffs against traditional European allies have undermined the transatlantic treaty.
The White House has been mostly silent about the outrage expressed in Britain – partly because the matter has not made much of a splash in the United States and because Trump has been busy in other ways, not making his usual appearances on camera to ask questions.
On Friday – before Starmer called on the US president to apologize – the White House issued a statement sticking to Trump’s long-held views on NATO.
The White House said: “President Trump is right: America’s contributions to NATO dwarf those of other countries, and his success in meeting the 5 percent spending commitment from NATO allies helps Europe take greater responsibility for its own defense.
“The United States is the only NATO partner capable of protecting Greenland, and in doing so, the President is defending NATO’s interests.”
The White House has yet to comment on Starmer’s suggestion of an apology.
