Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has come under fire from military veterans after revealing in his memoirs that he killed 25 Taliban fighters during his time in Afghanistan.
The comments have sparked outrage and condemnation from former soldiers and politicians alike.
One of the most vocal critics is former Royal Marine Ben McBean, who lost an arm and a leg in a bomb blast during the war.
McBean, whom Prince Harry had previously hailed as a hero, took to Twitter to express his disappointment, urging the Duke to “shut up.”
He questioned the company Harry keeps, suggesting that if they were good people, they would have advised him to stop boasting about such actions.
Colonel Bob Stewart, a Tory MP who commanded British troops in Bosnia, also condemned the Duke’s remarks as distasteful.
Stewart, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his service, expressed sadness for both Prince Harry and the monarchy.
He emphasized the privileged life Harry has had and criticized his apparent desire to self-destruct.
Another unnamed Tory MP described Harry’s behavior as “bonkers” and accused him of bringing disrepute to everything he represents.
The MP highlighted that real soldiers tend to shy away from boasting about their actions, instead regretting the necessity of their actions.
In his memoir, Prince Harry, known as Captain Wales during his military service, admitted that he didn’t view those he killed as individuals but rather as chess pieces on a board.
He flew an Apache attack helicopter during his second tour and acknowledged that while it didn’t bring him satisfaction, he wasn’t ashamed either.
Many believe these revelations will affect his involvement with the Invictus Games, an event he founded to support wounded veterans.
The comments made by Prince Harry have not only caused outrage among the public but have also raised concerns about his security.
Journalists and royal commentators have accused him of creating a security nightmare by openly discussing his kill count.
Phil Dampier, a royal commentator, questioned the wisdom of Prince Harry’s admission, suggesting it may make him a target for retaliation.
The discussion of kill counts and the lack of military etiquette in Prince Harry’s memoirs have drawn criticism from both current and former soldiers.
They argue that such details should not be shared publicly, especially in a theater of war.
The royal’s disclosure has also led to death threats being made against members of the British royal family on social media platforms, particularly on Afghan and Pakistani Twitter.
In conclusion, Prince Harry’s claims about killing 25 Taliban fighters have sparked widespread criticism and controversy.
Military veterans, politicians, and commentators have expressed their disappointment and concern over his revelations.
While Prince Harry has been known for his efforts to protect his family, many question whether sharing such sensitive information was the best approach.
The impact of these statements on both his personal security and his involvement in charitable endeavors remains to be seen.