Meghan Markle takes subtle swipe at Donald Trump with Prince Harry move
Meghan Markle supported her husband after Donald Trump's comments (Image: Getty)Meghan Markle showed her utmost support for her husband, Prince Harry, after he defended British troops in response to US President Donald Trump's remarks about NATO forces in Afghanistan. The Duchess of Sussex took to her official Instagram account to post a series of photos on her stories highlighting Harry's military service and his role as patron of the Invictus Games, in what can be seen as a subtle swipe at the US President’s NATO comments.One photo shows the Duke in a military aircraft; another shows him embracing a veteran; others feature veterans celebrating and competing at the games. Mr Trump suggested in an interview with Fox News that NATO allied troops "stayed a little off the front lines" in Afghanistan.The president also claimed the US had "never needed" its NATO partners, despite being the only member state to have ever invoked the alliance's "all for one, and one for all" clause, in the wake of 9/11.Prince Harry hugs a veteran (Image: Instagram)Former soldier Harry, who served two frontline tours in Afghanistan, said in a statement on Friday evening that the sacrifices of British soldiers "deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect".During his decade-long full-time military career, the duke fought the Taliban in 2007 and returned to Afghanistan for a second tour of duty in 2012, and qualified as an Apache aircraft commander.Harry said "thousands of lives" were changed by the Afghanistan conflict: "In 2001, NATO invoked Article 5 for the first - and only - time in history. It meant that every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared security."Allies answered that call. I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there. The United Kingdom alone had 457 service personnel killed."Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost."Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defence of diplomacy and peace."Prince Harry in a military aircraft (Image: Instagram)Harry began training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in May 2005.He became a Cornet in the Blues and Royals, joining the Household Cavalry regiment and, in May 2006, began training to become a troop leader of an armoured reconnaissance unit.In February 2007, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that Harry would be heading to Iraq for a six-month deployment, making him the first royal to serve in a conflict zone in 25 years.In late 2007, he was able to undertake a 10-week tour of duty fighting the Taliban in dangerous Helmand Province, operating as a battlefield air controller behind enemy lines. The secret mission, however, ended early after it was leaked on the internet.Upon his return, Harry was dubbed the "Warrior Prince", "Harry the Brave", and "One of Our Boys" by the press for fighting for his country.The duke was promoted from second lieutenant to lieutenant in April 2008.He was promoted to the rank of captain in April 2011 and was also awarded his Apache Badge from the officer in command of his Squadron at the same time.In September 2012, he made it back to Afghanistan for a 20-week stint, which gave him the chance to use his Apache flying skills and head out on operations in his role as co-pilot gunner. Get More of Our News on GoogleSet Daily Express as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value. Kensington Palace officially confirmed Harry's departure from the Army in March 2015, marking the end of 10 years of service.Mr Trump's recent remarks have drawn widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum in the UK, with critics pointing to both the number of UK deaths in Afghanistan and highlighting Mr Trump's avoidance of military service in Vietnam.
