HCX Investigates: Royals on the Front Line

This week Prince Harry shocked the nation with his frank admission that he has personally killed Taliban during his time in Afghanistan. Always a playboy, both Harry’s personal and professional life regularly attract attention, so is his involvement in the armed forces simply creating more problems and putting other soldiers at risk? Or should we admire his selflessness in putting his life on the line and accept him as one of the team? The statement made by Prince Harry in which he highlighted the necessity to “take a life for a life” has reopened this heated debate, leaving us continually asking, do the royals have a place on the front line?

The breadth of opinion on this matter is huge, with one side of the argument suggesting that Harry’s involvement makes his fellow soldiers a bigger target for enemy forces, which is only exasperated by the media who regularly broadcast his whereabouts on a global scale. In response to Harry’s recent admission, the Taliban have released a statement describing Harry as a “coward”. With such a desire to capture or kill Harry, other members of his regiment are put at a greater danger as there is emphasis on attacking their specific team. Clearly Harry is putting his fellow troops in an even more dangerous position than they already are. 

Some political parties and figures take a strong stance against royal involvement; the group ‘Republic’ who campaign for an alternative to the monarchy state in their manifesto that “no royals should have a role in the armed forces…it is totally unacceptable for them to serve.” Similarly, another source states, “Prince Harry might think war is just a game, but as a propaganda tool he has his safety, Afghanistan’s future, and the lives of British soldiers at risk” this kind of opinion is not uncommon to find; many people are unhappy about Captain Wales having a part in the army.   

On the other hand, Harry is widely known as being treated just like everyone else in the forces, and is hugely valued in his contribution to protecting the country. Despite speculation, there appears to have been a big effort to treat Harry like every other man, with the former SAS operative Andy McNab supporting this fact, “Nowadays I think of Harry as a soldier first and a royal second…he has been there, done that, and got the t-shirt.” Harry himself has said that his treatment is “as normal as it’s going to get. I’m one of the guys; I don’t get treated any differently.” Being treated as an equal and working with members of the public puts him in touch with the general population. He becomes a more relatable figure and a part of society just minus the crown; ‘the Prince’ becomes simply Harry. 

We also cannot forget the tradition of royals being in the army, who have been serving since 1945. Statistically, most people support royal involvement, with a recent YouGov poll seeing 82% of those surveyed thinking it is right to allow Harry to serve in the army. Charlotte, an Exeter University student said, “Just because he was born into a certain family doesn’t mean he can’t have a job just like everybody else. He is a good role model and using his title to good acclaim”.  Undoubtedly the armed forces is a very dangerous workforce, and having a Prince as part of the team should not sugar coat the reality of what really happens at war. As Harry puts it taking “a life for a life” is really just part of the job. 

It seems Prince Harry really can’t win in this debate. No matter which side is taken, there is always going to be extremity of opinion. Quite poignantly, the decision has been taken out of Harry’s hands, as it has been announced that he will be unlikely to return to the front line as there are no confirmed plans for him to return to Afghanistan. One thing is for certain though, the argument on whether or not royals should be on the frontline will continue to be disputed, Prince Harry simply one in the line of constant scrutiny and never-ending debate surrounding the royals. 

Image Credits: independent.co.uk, bbc.co.uk

Sources: bbc.co.uk, dailymail.co.uk, republic.org.uk, independent.co.uk, telegraph.co.uk, yougov.co.uk