Prince Harry, a former Army helicopter pilot, has been notably excluded from a list of top alumni in a new book celebrating graduates of Sandhurst, Britain's premier military academy. This omission has reportedly left the Duke of Sussex feeling deeply wounded, especially as his brother, Prince William, is included and even wrote the foreword for the book titled "They Also Served."
Sources close to the palace (via National Enquirer) suggest that Prince Harry perceives this exclusion as a deliberate act influenced by his father, King Charles. "We're hearing that Harry is extremely hurt and believes he was excluded due to the deliberate influence of his father, who is determined to erase him from British history," a palace source revealed. However, it was also pointed out that "His Majesty had absolutely nothing to do with this."
The controversy is compounded by Prince Harry's decade of commendable service in the Army Air Corps, which included two tours of duty in Afghanistan as a forward air controller from 2007 to 2008 and later as an Apache helicopter pilot from 2012 to 2013. During this time, Harry undertook numerous dangerous combat missions and achieved the rank of captain.
In contrast, Prince William, who has never seen combat, was included in the book. William's role as a Royal Air Force and Navy pilot was less active in comparison to Harry's frontline service, raising questions about the criteria for inclusion in the book. Critics argue that William's inclusion and his role in authoring the foreword may be an attempt to curry favor with the monarchy.
The snub to Prince Harry ignores his substantial military contributions and has been perceived by some as the "ultimate slap in the face." This sentiment is echoed by sources close to Harry, who contrast his legitimate soldier status with William's more ceremonial military role.
Further complicating matters are the revelations from Prince Harry's autobiography, "Spare," where he described killing 25 Taliban fighters, referring to them as "chess pieces." This description has drawn criticism from military colleagues, including former Army Colonel Richard Kemp, who condemned Harry's comments as a "betrayal of the people he fought alongside." Former Royal Marine Ben McBean advised Harry to "shut up," reflecting a broader backlash within the military community.
In response to the controversy, insiders claim that Prince Harry insists his comments were mischaracterized and taken out of context. He has expressed concern that the backlash is "dangerous to my family."
The exclusion of Prince Harry from "They Also Served" raises significant questions about the recognition of military service and the dynamics within the royal family, especially in the context of Harry's decision to step back from royal duties and move to the United States. As the Duke of Sussex navigates these complex personal and public narratives, the impact of this latest development on his legacy and public perception remains to be seen.
