Prince Harry has issued a pointed defence of NATO forces who fought in Afghanistan, pushing back against former United States President Donald Trump’s assertion that America has “never needed” NATO support and that allied troops stayed “a little off the front lines.”

The Duke of Sussex, who completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan as a British Army officer, stressed that the contribution of NATO allies was both real and costly. In a statement released through his spokesperson, Harry underscored that the alliance’s intervention was triggered by an attack on the United States itself.

“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,” he said.

Harry noted that he had seen the consequences of that decision firsthand. “I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there,” he said, highlighting the personal toll borne by those who deployed under the NATO flag.

He pointed to the British experience as one stark example of the alliance’s sacrifice, recalling that 457 UK service personnel were killed during operations in Afghanistan. Beyond the fatalities, he emphasized the enduring impact on survivors and their families.

“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,” Harry said. “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.”

Harry’s intervention carries particular weight because of his own combat record. He first deployed to Helmand Province in 2007–2008 in a role that was cut short after media leaks, then returned in 2012 for a four-month tour as an Apache helicopter co-pilot and gunner, supporting ground troops in some of the conflict’s most dangerous missions.

In his memoir, he later described killing Taliban fighters while on operations, a revelation that sparked debate but also underscored the extent of his direct involvement in the war. His latest comments place him firmly among those challenging attempts to downplay NATO’s role in Afghanistan or diminish the sacrifices made by allied forces alongside the United States.