Prince Harry, a former British Army officer who completed two tours in Afghanistan, has responded after President Donald Trump doubted the commitment of NATO allies in the aftermath of 9/11.
During a January 22 interview with FOX Business, Trump questioned NATO’s reliability, insisting that the United States has borne the majority of the burden while allies seemed mostly unaffected.
“We never really asked them anything. They’d say they sent troops to Afghanistan and all that. And they did — they were a little bit behind, a little bit away from the front lines,” Trump remarked to FOX Business anchor Maria Bartiromo.
Harry, the Duke of Sussex, reacted strongly to these comments, emphasizing his military background and the contributions of allied forces. In a statement sent through his spokesperson to Fox News Digital, he mentioned NATO’s actions following 9/11 and the sacrifices made by its allies.
“In 2001, NATO invoked Article 5 for the first and only time in its history, which meant that all allies had an obligation to stand with the United States in Afghanistan in pursuit of our common security. Allies answered that call,” he stated.
Article 5 is NATO’s collective defense clause, indicating that an attack on one member is regarded as an attack on all.
Harry then shared personal reflections, noting the dangers many soldiers faced. “I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there. 457 servicemen were killed in Britain alone,” he added.
He pointed out that the impact of the conflict went beyond the battlefield, affecting the families of the soldiers as well. “Thousands of lives have been changed forever. Mothers and fathers have buried sons and daughters. Children have been left orphaned and families continue to pay the price.”
Prince Harry wrapped up his statement by calling for respectful dialogue about the war and acknowledgment of the sacrifices made by America’s allies.
“These sacrifices must be told honestly and respectfully so that we all remain united and loyal to diplomacy and the defense of peace,” he stated.
Having served in the British Army for a decade, Prince Harry founded the Invictus Games in 2014, a sporting event for injured soldiers.
In 2020, he and his wife Meghan stepped back as senior royals and relocated to California, distancing themselves from the royal family. They cited media intrusion and a lack of support from the Palace as reasons for their departure.
