Prince Harry is once again feeling the pain of being ostracized by important British military circles, this time because he failed to appear in an important book published by Thornhurst, Britain's famous military academy.
Prince Harry's identity should be obvious as a member of the British Army, having served in the British Army for ten years, rising to the rank of captain and completing two trips to Afghanistan. However, it looks like Prince Harry's recent words and actions have caused outrage from the institution he once proudly served.
According to royal expert Angela Levine, Prince Harry was excluded from the new Sandhurst textbook directly because of some of his controversial remarks about the Taliban in his recent sexual memoir, "Spare," as well as widespread criticism of British culture.
In his unreserved autobiography, Prince Harry looks back on his time on the front lines in Afghanistan and candidly writes that the pressure of the battle has led him to view enemy combatants as "non-humans."
The admission caused some discontent in military circles, with Levin saying that portraying enemies as "non-humans" was contrary to the military's behavior. The military emphasizes maintaining discipline, observing strict rules of engagement, and upholding the universal dignity of all people, even in the heat of conflict. By suggesting that the military taught him to belittle his opponents, some felt that Prince Harry was unfairly discrediting the moral character and behavior of British soldiers.
More worrying for Sanhurst is the continued public criticism of other state institutions following Prince Harry's departure from his frontline duties in the royal family. His memoirs are relentless in their attack on everything from the paparazzi to his family within the royal family. With the military swearing allegiance to the royal family, Prince Harry's such public denigration of key pillars of the British establishment has clearly caused displeasure.
As Levin points out, the deliberate decision to exclude Prince Harry from Sandhurst's new book celebrating his history and accomplishments suggests that his remarks have caused a rift with him among the militarymen he once proudly called his comrades.
It seems that they have developed a disgust for the prince who now believes that even their most loyal and reliable supporters are attacking. While military blunders in the past, such as wearing Nazi attire to parties, may have been excused as the imprudent behavior of young people, it is likely that continued criticism of British institutions from overseas has tarnished any remaining goodwill.
For Prince Harry, he may have been aggrieved that an honest man who told uncomfortable truths should be condemned rather than praised. However, voluntary public service in the British Squadron requires a certain amount of inherent caution and respect for the command structure.
His memoirs are full of profound anecdotes about the costs of war, and given their true, unvarnished nature, it is likely to be controversial. However, the sharp suggestion that it implies a ** soldier of the British armed forces or no moral behavior is clearly excessive.
Like any organization, the military seeks to uphold specific traditions, values, and ways of operating. An open critique of the basic principles from a high-profile former officer, even for a man facing the fear of war, can be understood as undermining the hard-earned prestige and authority.
Despite not being afraid to challenge societal conventions in his quest for better mental health support, Prince Harry's brutal attacks have sacrificed understanding in exchange for controversy that has left his old comrades questioning his judgment and priorities.
Eventually, we witness the sad disintegration that once existed between the brotherhood of the British team and the most famous military prince among them.
There is no doubt that Prince Harry risked his life for the Queen and his country with pride, honor and courage in the dangerous deserts of Afghanistan. However, he now raises institutional grievances without prudence and courtesy, ensuring an attitude of indifference in those places where the spirit and rules of the army are still adhered to.
While marginalizing his royal relatives, Prince Harry also seems to have become a spare tire among his old friends in the military. While seeking truth and reform, it comes at the cost of losing intimacy with his companions who once understood him like no one.
In attacking causes that are so closely tied to the sacred mission he once proudly participated in, Prince Harry attacks the only group that may truly understand what he has experienced on the front lines of danger. Now it's time to see if this rift can be mended after so much of the pain of broken communication. But for Prince Harry and Britain's famous military, the war of words could be more painful than any armed conflict.