An amputee war hero, who served in Afghanistan and earned Prince Harry’s admiration, has expressed his disagreement with the Duke’s recent claims that the British media did not adequately cover the stories of wounded British troops.
In his new Netflix series, Prince Harry asserts that he was furious about the alleged lack of media attention to wounded soldiers in Afghanistan.
However, this assertion contradicts the reality of multiple newspapers regularly featuring front-page articles and special reports on the conflict and the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Controversial Comments in ‘Heart of Invictus’ Series
Prince Harry’s controversial comments are part of his new documentary series titled ‘Heart of Invictus,’ a five-part production that sheds light on the challenges faced by injured veterans.
Unfortunately, these remarks have sparked anger among military heroes, some of whom are now distancing themselves from the once-beloved royal.
Former Royal Marine Ben McBean’s Perspective
Former Royal Marine Ben McBean, who lost an arm and a leg due to a landmine blast in Helmand Province in 2008 and reportedly served as the inspiration for Prince Harry’s creation of the Invictus Games for disabled servicemen, took to Twitter to express his disagreement with the Duke’s claims.
Ben stated that he still holds affection for Prince Harry but cannot support his assertion, asserting that British media did indeed cover veterans’ stories for years.
Backlash from Military Figures
Ben McBean is not alone in his dissent. Other military commanders and senior veterans have criticized Prince Harry for his comments.
SAS hero Andy McNab characterized the assertion that media outlets ignored wounded servicemen as offensive and baseless.
Ex-forces commander Lord Richard Dannatt echoed this sentiment by saying, “Recollections may vary,” and highlighted that Prince Harry’s memories might not be entirely accurate.
Dannatt’s Perspective on Prince Harry’s Comments
Lord Dannatt, who served as Chief of the General Staff when Prince Harry was deployed to Afghanistan and played a role in enabling his tour with a news blackout deal, remarked that Prince Harry’s recollections may be clouded.
He recalled Prince Harry’s support, along with Prince William, for Help For Heroes and the fresh focus on the sacrifices made by military families.
However, Lord Dannatt emphasized that Prince Harry’s comments were just one element of the broader public support for servicemen and women.
Colonel Richard Kemp’s Critique
Colonel Richard Kemp, the former commander of British forces in Afghanistan, added to the chorus of criticism.
He argued that Prince Harry’s constant public criticisms of his own family, the Royal Family, were alienating servicemen and women.
Colonel Kemp also questioned Prince Harry’s combat experiences, particularly his claim of killing Taliban members, which he viewed as a distortion of the reality of British Army operations.
Prince Harry’s Justification
Prince Harry’s revelation about his Taliban kill-count and his characterization of his victims as ‘chess pieces’ to cope with the emotional toll drew further criticism from Colonel Kemp.
Prince Harry later defended his disclosure by asserting that soldiers should discuss the aspects of their service that haunt them.
Additional Claims by Prince Harry
In addition to his critique of the media, Prince Harry claimed in his Netflix series that he lacked a support network upon returning from Afghanistan, and his long-standing trauma, stemming from his mother Princess Diana’s death, was never addressed.
These statements were interpreted as another swipe at the Royal Family.
This controversy surrounding Prince Harry’s comments has highlighted the complex and contentious relationship between the Duke and the military community that once held him in high regard.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn