Prince Harry’s military mentor has expressed disappointment in him, saying that he feels ‘gutted’ about the path that the Duke of Sussex has chosen for himself since leaving service.
Steve Jones, author of the new book, Apache at War: Flying the World’s Deadliest Attack Helicopter in Combat, has opened up about his time in the British military, including working with Harry, and shared what he thinks of the Duke years after he was released from duty.
Of Prince Harry’s decision to step away from the military, Jones said, “I do feel disappointed. I feel gutted he’s not at the head of the military as he used to be.”
Despite this, Jones had positive words for the Duke, writing, “I’m grateful to have met him and flown with him. I think he has done his bit for his country. We can never take that away from him. He’s done an Apache course. He’ll always be one of us.”
The veteran added, “I remember the first time Harry and I met, in a briefing, it felt like he was briefing me. I was distracted, thinking ‘this is the third-in-line to the throne’. Then I thought ‘actually, he’s just another student. He doesn’t get any favours from me. If anything, he’s going to have to try harder.’”
Jones further shared how Prince Harry’s title offered him no favours, writing, “I’ve had people say he only passed because of who he is. Nothing could be further from the truth.”
“He definitely played hard, but he would work hard as well. He was a good student, but he tried to be a bit of a joker a few times and you’d have to slap him back down,” the veteran concluded.
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, entered in service to the British military in 2008, and served in Afghanistan, where he trained as an Apache gunman, and reportedly killed 25 Taliban, before leaving service in 2012.
