Prince Harry Left Out of Army Book Despite Afghanistan Tours

Prince Harry has faced a recent setback as he was notably absent from a list of Sandhurst's most distinguished alumni.

The Duke of Sussex did not secure a spot in the Academy's definitive book featuring 200 individuals who have served there.

Interestingly, it was Prince William who was entrusted with writing the foreword for the book.

Surprisingly, Harry found himself edged out by singer James Blunt, who held the rank of captain in the army.

In his 2023 memoir “Spare,” Prince Harry openly shared about his military experiences, including his time in the army and his kill count.

However, former British army commander Richard Kemp expressed understanding regarding Harry's exclusion from the book.

Kemp acknowledged, “I completely understand why he has not been included.

I don't think he did anything particularly notable during his service, but he was certainly a significant person to go to Sandhurst.”

Harry, who completed a 44-week training course at Sandhurst in 2005, left as an officer cadet in 2006.

Author Vaughan Kent Payne, known for “They Also Served: 200 People Who Trained at Sandhurst,” pointed out that not every individual who trained at the academy was commendable.

Payne highlighted the presence of a few individuals considered as traitors and cads among Sandhurst attendees, including fascist leader Sir Oswald Moseley and Waffen-SS officer Benson Freeman.

The book also features mentions of notable figures like wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill, astronaut Tim Peake, and rugby star Josh Lusey.

Despite the absence of Prince Harry, the book aims to showcase the diverse accomplishments and experiences of Sandhurst graduates beyond just the most recognized names.

Proceeds from the book, priced at £28, will support the Sandhurst Trust, the official charity and alumni community for the academy.

For Prince Harry, being excluded from the book adds to the series of blows he has faced in his military career.

Despite his pride in his army service, which included two tours of Afghanistan, Harry's absence from the book marks another chapter in his evolving relationship with the royal family.

Following his departure from royal duties to reside in the US with Meghan Markle, Harry was stripped of his ceremonial titles in 2021.

Throughout his military journey, Harry served as a forward air controller during his first tour of Afghanistan in 2007-2008, later transitioning to become an Apache pilot stationed at Camp Bastion in 2012.

His experiences in combat, as detailed in “Spare,” shed light on the harrowing injuries witnessed by his fellow soldiers.

Notably, Harry achieved the rank of captain and qualified as an Apache aircraft commander during his time in service.