The Queen wanted both William and Harry to fight the Taliban in Afghanistan when war broke out in 2001 before deciding it was too risky to send the heir-to-be to the throne, an ex-army chief has revealed.
The decision on whether the princes should take part in the conflict was debated at a meeting between the late Elizabeth II and General Sir Mike Jackson, then Chief of the British Army.
In an upcoming ITVX documentary called The Real Crown, Sir Mike breaks protocol by revealing details of his private audience with the Queen. He said: “What goes on in these audiences and who says what to whom stays between the two people involved and I will be breaking the rule that on this one occasion I will not reveal what is going on.
“She was very clear. She said: “My grandchildren have taken my shilling, so they must do their duty.” And that was it. But it was decided that William, as heir to the heir, was too much of a risk. But for his younger brother, the risk was acceptable.”
Prince William disembarks his Tucano training aircraft at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire
Prince William and Prince Harry at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant on June 3, 2012
The Real Crown reveals that the Queen gave the decision much thought as she had detailed information about the risks British armed personnel faced in Afghanistan.
Sir John Scarlett, then the head of MI6, said: “Of course she has full clearance to everything. She has had unrestricted access to an extraordinary amount of information and insight for longer than anyone. William really wanted to go.’
He added: “She is very, very discreet, totally reliable and very thorough.
“I remember thinking at the time, ‘Wow, Her Majesty knows more about this than we do.’
Prince Harry at Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan in 2012
The Real Crown reveals that the Queen gave the decision much thought as she had detailed information about the risks British armed personnel faced in Afghanistan
After graduating from university, William completed a 44-week training course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He was promoted to Army Officer in December 2006.
He joined the Household Cavalry (Blues and Royals) until 2008 and was later attached to the Royal Air Force and Navy.
Harry served in the Army for ten years, rose to the rank of Captain and undertook two deployments to Afghanistan in 2007-8 and 2012-13.
The documentary reveals that William was prevented from joining the war, even though he wanted to, because of his position as future king.
Mark Cann, director of the British Forces Foundation, said on the series: “William was dying to leave. Clearly.
“But it was complex and some very big minds and experienced people thought about it.
“I think it was really tricky. Anyone who’s in the military and hasn’t actually been on the field feels disappointed.
“And I think especially that was the (war) back then, you had everyone around you at the time that was involved. So there’s a sense of disappointment.’
The series, which will air April 20, also explores the storylines of Netflix drama The Crown.
ITV notes that the documentary features rare archive footage and new interviews with key figures, some of whom have never spoken on camera before, while offering a glimpse of the Queen’s perspective at key moments.
Harry sits in his position atop a Spartan armored vehicle in Helmand Province, Afghanistan
Harry holds his SA80 rifle in hand as he prepares to patrol the abandoned city of Garmisir
Harry on patrol through the abandoned town of Garmisir near FOB Delhi (Forward Operating Base)
Harry fired the 50mm machine gun at Taliban fighters from the observation post on JTAC Hill near FOB Delhi (Forward Operating Base) in Helmand Province
Prince Harry revealed in his memoir Spare that he killed 25 Taliban militants during his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.
The Duke of Sussex, known in the military as “Captain Wales”, wrote that he did not regard those killed “as people” but as “chess pieces” he had taken off the board.
It was the first time he had given the number of insurgents he had personally killed during his time in Afghanistan, where he spent four months as an Apache helicopter pilot during his second tour.
Prince Harry said his military career “saved him” after the tragic death of his mother, Princess Diana, by helping him “turn his pain into meaning”.
During an explosive interview with 60 Minutes that premiered Jan. 8, he told host Anderson Cooper, “My military career saved me in so many ways. It got me out of the limelight of the British press.
“I’ve been able to focus on a goal bigger than myself — to wear the same uniform as everyone else, feel normal for the first time in my life, and overcome some of the biggest challenges I’ve ever had.”
Queen Elizabeth II “broke Edward VIII’s heart” when she turned down his “dying wish” to bestow HRH titles on Wallis Simpson, claims the Duke of Windsor’s nurse
The Queen denied her “favorite uncle” – the Duke of Windsor – his last wish just ten days before his death, a new documentary has revealed.
At the age of 46, during the last days of the former King, Elizabeth II visited Edward VIII at his and Wallis Simpson’s home in Paris, France, and apparently rejected his request for his wife to be awarded an HRH title.
The late royal, who died in 1972, had abdicated the throne in 1936 for love of Wallis, who was American and divorced.
The Duke’s nurse, Julie Alexander, said on The Real Crown that the rejection “broke his heart”.
“He was terribly ill,” she said. “He can’t have weighed – maybe 80 pounds if that… he wasn’t eating at all.
At the age of 46, Elizabeth II visited Edward VIII at his and Wallis Simpson’s home in Paris, France, during the last days of the former King. Pictured: The Queen, Wallis and Prince Philip during the visit
“The Duke was very, very concerned about his appearance, but he insisted he would sit up in a chair, not in bed, and wear clothes to hide hoses.”
The visit, although melancholic in nature, was also the first time Wallis had hosted the late monarch.
“The Queen said no,” Julie continued. “She said no even on that sad day. It broke his heart I think. That’s what he wanted… that title for her. Not having that title for his wife was a slap in the face.”
The visit, which took place 51 years ago in May, was also featured on Netflix’s The Crown.
Elizabeth spoke alone with “Uncle David” – as he was known to her immediate family – before appearing for just one photo with the Duchess. The Duke died on May 28, less than a month before his 78th birthday.
Edward’s relationship with Wallis, who was married to him twice prior to their union, was a scandal when news of it first broke.
The late royal, who died in 1972, had abdicated the throne in 1936 for love of Wallis, who was American and divorced
Edward’s relationship with Wallis, who was married to him twice prior to their union, was a scandal when news of it first broke. Elizabeth, Wallis and Edward, pictured in 1967
His marriage proposal — while divorce proceedings were still ongoing with her second husband — sparked a constitutional crisis that culminated in Edward’s decision to abdicate.
After his abdication, Edward was created Duke of Windsor by his brother – the new King George VI – and received the style of His Royal Highness.
However, after their marriage in 1937 and the decision to settle in France, Edward was angered by the King’s decision to grant a patent denying Wallis the style of Her Royal Highness.
Edward received a tax-free allowance from his brother, which helped sustain his and Wallis’ lavish lifestyle.
Last summer, a historian claimed Edward chose to abdicate because his father’s treatment made him a “rebel” who did not have the “self-discipline” to be king.
Speaking at the Chalke Valley History Festival sponsored by the Chron, historian Professor Jane Ridley said the king’s shocking decision to step down from his duties was because his father made “no attempt” to prepare him to to become king.
After their marriage in 1937 and the decision to settle in France, Edward was upset by the King’s decision to grant a patent denying Wallis the style of Her Royal Highness
She said she didn’t show him any affection or praise and made no effort to “build a relationship,” which had “pretty bad repercussions” in the long run and was one of the “key factors in the abdication.”
While Elizabeth and her father King George VI are “famous” for diligently reading official government papers, Edwards “would come back with wine stains and burns,” Professor Ridley said.
She added that Edward felt his role was “a waste of time” and that it was “in large part” a “reaction to his father who bullied him.”
Edward spoke about his childhood and father in his 1951 autobiography A King’s Story, in which he claimed the concept of duty was “built into him”.
However, Professor Ridley said Edward and his brothers, who included future King George VI, were “terrified” of their father.
“He yelled at her because, for example, he was five minutes late for dinner. They would be sent back to their bedrooms,” she said.
Edward spoke about his childhood and father in his 1951 autobiography A King’s Story, in which he claimed the concept of duty was “built into him”. Pictured during his abdication speech
Speaking on The Real Crown: Inside the House of Windsor, which will air on ITVX on April 20, the Duke’s nurse, Julie Alexander, said the rejection “broke his heart”. Pictured: Elizabeth and her Uncle Edward in 1933
The Duke died on May 28, less than a month before his 78th birthday. Elizabeth, Wallis and the Duke of Edinburgh at Edward’s funeral
“It’s bad enough being yelled at by your father, but it’s even harder when your father is the king. These four princes were brought up to be afraid of their father.’
She added: “George has made no attempt to prepare his son to be king. Be king the traditional way. So his son rebels against him and rebels against his idea of kingship.
“George V and the current Queen are famous for turning over their red boxes full of documents within hours of receiving them and for being punctual, conscientious and diligent.
“I think there’s quite a lot of not always fascinating work that they have to do.
“With Edward VIII, the documents came back from their place at Windsor… they came back with wine stains on them and cigarette burns.
“It was very clear that he wasn’t respecting all the rules of discretion and he just thought it was a waste of time.
“I think that started largely as a reaction to his father bullying him. He thought his father was a dumb old thing and he became what he was, a rebel, Edward VIII.
“When he became king, he realized that he didn’t want that. Couldn’t. Didn’t have the self discipline to do it,” she added.
After his abdication, Edward was created Duke of Windsor by his brother and inherited the style of His Royal Highness.
After being slammed for meeting Adolf Hitler in Germany in 1937, Edward and Wallis spent much of their time throwing lavish parties and traveling between Paris and New York.
Lord Snowdon’s lover Nicky Haslam says Princess Margaret’s husband is a “great seducer” but he never thought the royal couple would “go to the point of marriage” in new documentaries
Princess Margaret’s shattered marriage to Antony Armstrong-Jones lasted 18 years before they finally divorced – but one of Lord Snowdon’s male lovers shared his surprise that the couple’s relationship had even gotten this far.
British society interior designer Nicky Haslam, 83, claimed in his memoir Redeeming Features (2010) that he had “a very brief romance” with the late Earl a year before his marriage to Queen Elizabeth II’s younger sister in 1960.
Nicky appears in ITV’s new five-part royal documentary series The Real Crown: Inside the House of Windsor, which airs on ITVX on Thursday April 20 to talk about the relationship between society photographer Lord Snowdon and Princess Margaret.
In the first episode, entitled Love and Duty, Nicky explains, “Tony was a great seducer, he could seduce this table leg. He was great fun, Tony, a devil personified but a charmer in everything.
“He was sassy but wonderful, I mean naughty in the best sense,” says the socialite, before admitting, “I was quite surprised it went as far as marriage [between Antony and Margaret].’
Princess Margaret’s shattered marriage to Antony Armstrong-Jones (pictured together in 1974) lasted 18 years before they finally divorced – but one of Lord Snowdon’s male lovers has shared his surprise that the couple’s relationship has even gotten this far
Lady Anne Glenconner, the late Princess Margaret’s lady-in-waiting, also stars in the episode – but has fewer than positive words to say about the king’s husband.
She says: “When the marriage started to go wrong, I was there for her when she was going through a difficult time. I saw how Tony treated her, which I didn’t like at all.
“The thing about Tony was that he was so hateful – and did these horrible things. he always left little notes,” claims Lady Glenconner.
The 90-year-old socialite, who was maid of honor at Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, tells the show how a message to his wife appeared to read “I hate you”.
“I really don’t know why he behaved like that, I just felt very sorry for her,” admits Lady Glenconner.
She adds that “Tony was pretty smart… he stayed with the Queen and the Queen Mother. Absolutely. I mean, they thought he was wonderful.”
Elsewhere in the show, Nicky recalls a not-so-blissful moment between the Earl and the Princess.
“We were at a party and Tony had one of those matches that would light anything, you would light them, old-fashioned matches, and he kind of lit it and threw it at Princess Margaret,” explains the socialite.
British society interior designer Nicky Haslam (pictured), 83, claimed in his memoir Redeeming Features (2010) that a year before his marriage to Queen Elizabeth II’s younger sister in 1960, he had a “very brief romance” with the late Earl had
Nicky appears in ITV’s new five-part royal docuseries The Real Crown: Inside the House of Windsor, which premieres on Thursday 20th April.
“And she said, ‘Oh Tony, don’t do that. You could have set my dress on fire and he said, “Fine, I’ve always hated this material.”
Margaret, who died in 2002 at the age of 71, met Antony in 1958 at a dinner party organized by mutual friends and married at Westminster Abbey in May 1960, the first royal wedding to be televised.
However, the union was reportedly not a good one and the couple soon drifted apart, with both royals entering into extramarital affairs.
Margaret invited Roddy Llewellyn, a lover 17 years her junior, to the island of Mustique in 1974, where they were photographed by paparazzi, bringing about the end of their marriage.
Margaret and Antony, who died in 2017, made their divorce official in 1978 after 18 years of marriage.
The romance between Anthony Armstrong-Jones and royalty has been romanticized more than once, most recently in the second and third seasons of Netflix royal drama The Crown.
The full series is available on ITVX on Thursday April 20th