Seeing a family member deployed to war is an anxiety-inducing experience, especially for those who have served in the military so know the risks that lie ahead of their loved ones.

Members of the Royal Family typically serve both honorary and frontline roles in the Armed Forces, including the late Queen, King Charles, Prince Edward and Prince Philip.

The late Duke of Edinburgh, who served in the Royal Navy during World War II, knew  the risks when his grandson was deployed on active duty to Afghanistan.

In January 2006 Clarence House announced Harry was to join the Blues and Royals, after which he was commissioned as an Army officer on April 12 that year. In 2007 the Prince was deployed to Afghanistan for 10 weeks, working as a forward air controller, coordinating airstrikes on Taliban positions. However, his tour ended early following reports in the international media of his whereabouts.

In the documentary Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers, Harry recalled the touching remark his grandfather said to him before he left.

Harry said: ‘Going off to Afghanistan, he was very matter of fact and just said: “Make sure you come back alive.”‘

The late Duke of Edinburgh, who served in the Royal Navy during World War II, who knew all too well the risks when his grandson was deployed on active duty to Afghanistan

The late Duke of Edinburgh, who served in the Royal Navy during World War II, who knew all too well the risks when his grandson was deployed on active duty to Afghanistan 

In the documentary Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers, Prince Harry recalled the touching remark his grandfather said to him before he left

In the documentary Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers, Prince Harry recalled the touching remark his grandfather said to him before he left

Harry said: ‘Going off to Afghanistan, he was very matter of fact and just said: “Make sure you come back alive”‘

After returning, the Duke of Sussex said it was Philip who gave him the space to talk about his service in Afghanistan. 

Harry said: ‘Then when I came back, there wasn’t a deep level of discussion, more a case of: “Well you made it. How was it?”

‘That’s how he was. He was very much a listener, he sort of set the scene for you to be able to share as much as you wanted to share but he would never probe.’

Philip joined the Royal Navy in 1939 and quickly rose through the ranks. At 21 years old, he wasmade one of the youngest first lieutenants. His ship, the HMS Wallace, was part of the Allied invasion of Sicily – a pivotal moment in the war.

He held honorary titles in the Army, Navy, and Air Force and was appointed Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Cadet Force and Air Commodore-in-Chief of the Air Training Corps.

He received pilot training with the RAF and continued flying until the late 1990s. 

Harry joined the military in 2005 and completed his officer training in April 2006, when he graduated from Sandhurst Military Academy

Harry joined the military in 2005 and completed his officer training in April 2006, when he graduated from Sandhurst Military Academy

In 2007, the Prince was deployed to Afghanistan for 10 weeks, working as a forward air controller, coordinating airstrikes on Taliban positions

In 2007, the Prince was deployed to Afghanistan for 10 weeks, working as a forward air controller, coordinating airstrikes on Taliban positions

Harry is pictured with a group of Gurkha soldiers on January 2, 2008, in Helmand province, Southern Afghanistan

Harry is pictured with a group of Gurkha soldiers on January 2, 2008, in Helmand province, Southern Afghanistan

Harry joined the military in 2005, and completed his officer training in April 2006, when he graduated from Sandhurst Military Academy. 

He was commissioned in a regiment within the Household Cavalry. His unit announced in 2006 that they were scheduled to be deployed in Iraq the following year, causing a public debate over the Prince’s safety.

Speaking of his desire to serve on the front lines, Harry said: ‘There’s no way I’m going to put myself through Sandhurst and then sit on my a*** back home while my boys are out fighting for their country.’

However, due to security risks, it was later announced that he would no longer be able to accompany his unit to the war zone.

Despite this initial disappointment, the Duke of Sussex was secretly deployed for ten weeks to the Helmand Province in Afghanistan in late 2007, to assist NATO forces as a forward air controller.

He was forced to return to the UK after a German media outlet revealed his location, therefore endangering his unit.

He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant with the Household Cavalry on 13 April 2008.

The Duke of Sussex then retrained as an Apache pilot in the Army Air Corps and returned to Afghanistan in 2012 as a helicopter co-pilot and gunner.

On 25 February 2008, it was made known that Harry had been serving with the Army in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, for more than two months

 On 25 February 2008, it was made known that Harry had been serving with the Army in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, for more than two months

Harry leaves the terminal at RAF Brize Norton with his brother William following his return from Afghanistan on March 1, 2008

Harry leaves the terminal at RAF Brize Norton with his brother William following his return from Afghanistan on March 1, 2008

The Prince was promoted to the rank of lieutenant with the Household Cavalry on 13 April 2008

The Prince was promoted to the rank of lieutenant with the Household Cavalry on 13 April 2008

The Duke of Sussex retrained as an Apache pilot in the Army Air Corps and returned to Afghanistan in 2012 as a helicopter co-pilot and gunner

The Duke of Sussex retrained as an Apache pilot in the Army Air Corps and returned to Afghanistan in 2012 as a helicopter co-pilot and gunner

His decision to leave the Army was confirmed in March 2015.

Harry ended his military career at the rank of captain in June 2015, following a secondment to the Australian military.

General Sir Nicholas Carter, the then-Chief of the General Staff, said that Harry had ‘achieved much in his 10 years as a soldier’.

‘He has been at the forefront throughout his service,’ he said. 

The Prince also founded the Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans. 

Harry wrote about his experiences serving in Afghanistan, including the number of Taliban fighters he was involved in killing, in his memoir Spare.

He spoke of seeing the killings as ‘chess pieces removed from the board,’ and said he didn’t feel pride or shame about them, but rather saw them as necessary to protect good people from bad.

Harry is pictured in February 2008 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan Harry wrote about his experiences serving in Afghanistan in his memoir, Spare

In his memoir, Harry wrote about seeing the killings as ‘chess pieces removed from the board,’ and said he didn’t feel pride or shame about them, but rather saw them as necessary to protect good people from bad

General Sir Nicholas Carter, the then-Chief of the General Staff, said that Harry - pictured in January 2008 - had 'achieved much in his 10 years as a soldier'

General Sir Nicholas Carter, the then-Chief of the General Staff, said that Harry – pictured in January 2008 – had ‘achieved much in his 10 years as a soldier’

Princess Anne is pictured presenting Afghanistan war campaign medals to officers and soldiers of the Household Cavalry Regiment, including Harry, at Combermere Barracks on May 5, 2008

Princess Anne is pictured presenting Afghanistan war campaign medals to officers and soldiers of the Household Cavalry Regiment, including Harry, at Combermere Barracks on May 5, 2008

His memoir also included details about his training and the support he received from the military.

Harry also told the Armchair Expert podcast how he felt helpless during his time on the frontline.

He said: ‘Helplessness, that is my biggest Achilles heel.

‘There were three major times that I felt completely helpless, one when I was a kid in the back of a car with my mum being chased by paparazzi, two was in Afghanistan in an Apache helicopter and then the third one was with my wife.’

In March 2022, Harry was the only one of Philip’s grandchildren not to be present at his grandfather’s memorial at Westminster Abbey after refusing to travel over a row about his security.

Royal expert Ingrid Seward, author of Prince Philip Revealed, told The Mirror she thought his silence spoke volumes.

When Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior members of the Royal Family, he was stripped of his military titles including Captain General of the Royal Marines.  

He is also banned from wearing his ceremonial military uniform.

After returning, the Duke of Sussex said it was Philip who gave him the space to talk about his service in Afghanistan

After returning, the Duke of Sussex said it was Philip who gave him the space to talk about his service in Afghanistan

In March 2022 Harry was the only one of Philip's grandchildren to not be present at his grandfather's memorial at Westminster Abbey after refusing to travel over a row about his security

In March 2022 Harry was the only one of Philip’s grandchildren to not be present at his grandfather’s memorial at Westminster Abbey after refusing to travel over a row about his security

Royal expert Ingrid Seward, author of Prince Philip Revealed, told The Mirror she thought Harry's silence spoke volumes

Royal expert Ingrid Seward, author of Prince Philip Revealed, told The Mirror she thought Harry’s silence spoke volumes

The Duke of Sussex told Good Morning America that you ‘never leave the military community’.

He said: ‘Once you leave the military from a uniform standpoint, you never leave the community and to have the games every other year but then also to be able to do a one year to go event as well, is literally my annual fix.’

The Prince has demonstrated his commitment to ensuring wounded servicemen and women are given the respect and support they deserve to lead fulfilling lives post-recovery.

The inaugural Invictus Games in London 2014 used the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women.

The idea for the games began when Harry was on a trip to the Warrior Games in the USA in 2013.

The Prince said that he saw how the power of sport could help wounded servicemen and women in their recovery – physically, psychologically and socially. 

Harry attends The Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service at St Paul's Cathedral on May 8, 2024 in London

Harry attends The Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service at St Paul’s Cathedral on May 8, 2024 in London

Harry and Meghan are pictured at the Whistler Welcome Celebration during Invictus Games Vancouver in Canada earlier this year

Harry and Meghan are pictured at the Whistler Welcome Celebration during Invictus Games Vancouver in Canada earlier this year

Launching the Games, Harry said: ‘I have witnessed first-hand how the power of sport can positively impact the lives of wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women in their journey of recovery.

‘I am extremely proud that we are bringing an event like this to the UK for the first time and believe it can have a long lasting impact on the well-being of those who have served their nations so bravely.’

Most recently Harry claimed the Invictus Games 2025 ceremony ‘saved lives’ in a new report, as the Duke of Sussex also teased his UK comeback for the Games in two years. 

The report stated: ‘Our Games not only changed lives, they saved them.’

The Royal Family and the Armed Forces

The Sovereign and the Royal Family have a long-standing association with the Armed Forces. 

King Charles III, as Captain General of the Royal Artillery, receives an engraved brass shell casing from an artillery round fired during his coronation, on June 6, 2025, in Salisbury

King Charles III, as Captain General of the Royal Artillery, receives an engraved brass shell casing from an artillery round fired during his coronation, on June 6, 2025, in Salisbury

From the days when the Monarch rallied the troops on the battlefield, to the military careers of today’s Royal Family and their support for personnel through their many honorary roles and patronages, the Armed Forces are a key focus in the working lives of the Royal Family.

As Sovereign, The King is Head of the Armed Forces. He is also known as Commander-in-Chief. His Majesty is a former serving Naval officer himself as well as the son and father of individuals who have served in the Armed Forces.

The King is the only person to declare war and peace. This dates back from when the Monarch was responsible for raising, maintaining and equipping the Army and Navy.

Today, this power can only be exercised on the advice of Ministers.

On enlistment, the Army and Air Force Acts require members of the Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Marines to take an oath of allegiance to the Monarchy as Head of the Armed Forces.

Members of the Royal Navy have never been required to swear an oath – the service was formed hundreds of years ago and its existence stems from the Sovereign’s prerogative.

The King takes a keen interest in all the Armed Forces, both in the United Kingdom and in the Commonwealth. He undertakes regular visits to Service Establishments and ships, to meet servicemen and women of all ranks, and their families, both at home and overseas.

King Charles salutes during the military procession for the 80th anniversary of VE Day, in honour of those who served during the Second World War, at Buckingham Palace on May 5, 2025

King Charles salutes during the military procession for the 80th anniversary of VE Day, in honour of those who served during the Second World War, at Buckingham Palace on May 5, 2025

The King and other members of the Royal Family hold various appointments and honorary ranks in the Armed Forces. Such appointments include special relationships with certain ships, and honorary colonels (known as Royal Colonels) in Army regiments and Corps, and honorary ranks connected with Royal Air Force stations.

The King meets regularly with the Chief of the Defence Staff and the Single Service Chiefs. His Majesty also keeps in touch with the work and interests of the Services through his Defence Services Secretary, a serving officer who is also a member of the Royal Household, who acts as the official link.

Source: Royals.uk

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