Queen sent William and Harry to Afghanistan 'as payback for lavish …
The Queen ordered Prince William and Prince Harry to be sent to war in Afghanistan as payback for their lavish lifestyles. It's claimed she felt it was their "duty" to serve the country. General Sir Mike Jackson, head of the Army when the war started in 2001, spoke about it during one of his regular meetings with the Queen.
READ MORE: Harry and Meghan miss key deadline putting coronation plan in jeopardy A strict code of silence governed meeting with Her Majesty, but he said: "I will break the rule about not divulging what goes on on this one occasion.
The late Queen reportedly felt it was her grandsons' duty to serve their country (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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"She was very clear. She said, 'My grandsons have taken my shilling, therefore they must do their duty.' And that was that.
"It was decided that as William is heir to the throne, the risk is too great. But for his younger brother, the risk was acceptable." William visited Afghanistan but did not do a full tour.
Director of the British Forces Foundation Mark Cann says the prince was devastated not to do it.
Prince William was unable to complete his term as it was deemed too risky (Image: PA)
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He said: "He was very keen to go. Unequivocally. But it was complex, and some very great minds and experienced people took a view on it.
"I think it was really tricky. Anybody who's in the military who hasn't actually been on operation feels a sense of disappointment." The claims were made in the new ITV documentary The Real Crown, that lifts the lid on the royals.
It starts on April 20 on ITVX.
Prince Harry completed two terms (Image: Getty Images)
In contrast, younger brother Harry completed two tours in Afghanistan - and made some shocking claims about his time at war in his memoir, Spare. In the book, which became an instant best-seller, the Duke of Sussex revealed he killed 25 people during his time in the military, and admitted he saw his targets as "chess pieces" rather than people. To get more stories from Daily Star delivered straight to your inbox sign up to one of our free newsletters here.
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