Why Harry’s sense of duty to Queen and country can never be in doubt

But for me, I know Harry would never turn his back on duty, country or the Armed Forces.

The Royal Family and the Armed Forces have been entrenched together in our history ever since we’ve had royalty or enemies.

It is said our British Armed Forces are the best in the world much like our NHS, I would agree with both – I’ve served in the first and myself and family have either used the latter or worked for it.

I am proud to have served in the same British forces as Prince Harry, and many other members of the Royal Family have also done so.

Kings would lead from the front in medieval times even going as far as to wear special armour so that they would be visible to the men on the field of battle and boost their morale and resolve.

However this also made them visible to the enemy, with many kings falling on the battlefield as a result, Harold II the most notable at Hastings in 1066.

In modern times too we’ve always had members of the Royal Family serving too.

I’ve always had admiration for what The Duke of Edinburgh and The Duke of York did for their country with bravery and at great risk to themselves during the Second World War and The Falklands respectively. Prince William, also served in the forces, flying Sea King helicopters in the RAF.

Prince Harry has more recently served in the Army, including active service with two very dangerous tours of duty in Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter pilot. So I believe his bravery and sense of duty can never be in doubt, or questioned.

In 2018, as we know, Harry married Meghan Markle in a wonderful wedding at Windsor castle. Sadly, since then they have suffered a difficult time privately and publicly, culminating in them leaving Royal duties and moving to America.

Harry cited in the interview with Oprah Winfrey that he was concerned for the safety of his wife and son, Archie who wasn’t entitled to security cover. He was also concerned that history could repeat itself, with memories of his mother Diana’s death.

The Sussexes left our shores with the blessing of the Queen however it was later announced by Buckingham Palace that they would officially be removed from their royal patronages, and that Harry would be stripped of his remaining honorary military titles in light of the couple’s decision to make their royal exit permanent.

As an ex-service man myself I know that this will have hurt Harry immensely.

I served 12 years in The Royal Air Force, and considered myself a small tooth on a very small wheel in a very large machine. However, I feel proud of my service, which I’ve always thought gave me another layer of Britishness.

The armed forces gets in your blood, the friendship and camaraderie you gain stays with you for life.

Harry has always loved, and is loved by the armed forces. He really had an affinity with the men and women of all ranks who he served with.

He even referred to one of our own, Cpl Liam Riley, 21, from Killamarsh, who was killed in action in Afghanistan by a roadside bomb February 2010 as ‘a Legend’.

Harry said: “When I said Liam was a legend, I meant it.”

This was of great comfort to Liam’s family at a time of great distress.

This demonstrates to me the affection Harry has for all the servicemen and women and their families he came into contact with, before, during and after his 10 years of service.

He is held in high regard by the armed forces, by the women and men serving past and present.

Back in 2013 on a trip to watch the Warrior Games in the USA Harry was introduced to the power of sport and how it can help physically and psychologically those suffering from injuries and illness, while serving their country.

This inspired him and gave him motivation to create the Invictus Games of which he is a Patron.

The first Invictus games took place in September 2014 at the Queen Elizabeth Park in London.

The word invictus means unconquered and the games helps to harness the power of sport to inspire recovery and rehabilitation for those who have served their country and received life-changing injuries as a result.

This has been a great success changing the lives of many service men and women giving them inspiration, purpose and a challenge to aim for.

Some of the competitors have gone on to become paralympians representing Great Britain.

This to me is a fabulous demonstration of Harry’s care and support for the armed forces.

Taking away his well-deserved honorary ranks seems to me unnecessary, and I believe will hurt Harry deeply; he earned them and deserved to keep them.

Is this protocol or punishment?

When going to Millhouses Park was like going to the seaside