Queen ordered William and Harry to war in Afghanistan ‘as payback for lavish lifestyles’
The Queen ordered Prince William and Prince Harry to be sent to war in Afghanistan as payback for their lavish lifestyles.
It’s claimed she felt it was their “duty” to serve the country.
General Sir Mike Jackson, head of the Army when the war started in 2001, spoke about it during one of his regular meetings with the Queen.
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A strict code of silence governed meeting with Her Majesty, but he said: “I will break the rule about not divulging what goes on on this one occasion.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
“She was very clear. She said, ‘My grandsons have taken my shilling, therefore they must do their duty.’ And that was that.
“It was decided that as William is heir to the throne, the risk is too great. But for his younger brother, the risk was acceptable.”
William visited Afghanistan but did not do a full tour.
Director of the British Forces Foundation Mark Cann says the prince was devastated not to do it.
(Image: PA)
He said: “He was very keen to go. Unequivocally. But it was complex, and some very great minds and experienced people took a view on it.
“I think it was really tricky. Anybody who’s in the military who hasn’t actually been on operation feels a sense of disappointment.”
The claims were made in the new ITV documentary The Real Crown, that lifts the lid on the royals. It starts on April 20 on ITVX.
(Image: Getty Images)
In contrast, younger brother Harry completed two tours in Afghanistan – and made some shocking claims about his time at war in his memoir, Spare.
In the book, which became an instant best-seller, the Duke of Sussex revealed he killed 25 people during his time in the military, and admitted he saw his targets as “chess pieces” rather than people.
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