Ex-soldier who served with Prince Harry says he ‘wasn’t surprised’ by his and Meghan Markle’s decision to quit The Firm because the Duke was always so ‘at ease’ while away from royal life
- James Wharton, 32, from the Midlands, served with Duke in Household Cavalry
- Says he ‘wasn’t surprised’ by him and Meghan Markle quitting as senior royals
- Believes Harry, 35, was always ‘at ease’ during time in Army away from ‘other life’
- Also told that duke is ‘protective’ of Meghan, 38, and eight-month-old son Archie
A former soldier who served with Prince Harry has revealed he ‘wasn’t surprised’ by his and Meghan Markle’s shock decision to quit as senior royals.
James Wharton, 32, from the Midlands, told Forces Network that the duke, 35, was always very ‘at ease’ while in the Army, away from his ‘other life’.
He added that Harry is highly ‘protective’ of Meghan, 38, and their eight-month-old son Archie.
The ex-military man, who in 2014 spoke of how the duke acted as a LGBT-affirming ally in the face of homophobia within the Armed Forces, also recalled how Harry ‘told off’ men who were harassing him for his sexuality while in the Household Cavalry.
A former soldier who once served with Prince Harry has admitted he ‘wasn’t surprised’ by his and Meghan Markle’s decision to quit as senior royals because he’s so ‘protective’ of his family. He is pictured posing with the Duchess of Sussex after the birth of their son Archie last year
Harry underwent two tours of Afghanistan (pictured in 2008) and James spoke of how the duke always seemed ‘at ease’ away from his ‘other life’ and acted as a LGBT-affirming ally in the face of homophobia within the Armed Forces
‘If I’m honest I wasn’t surprised,’ said James. ‘I think back to when he was serving with us in the Household Cavalry and I remember how at ease he was in the uniform, perhaps away from his other life.
‘I certainly could tell that while he was with soldiers, it was something new for him, something away from what he was used to and I think he loved his time with the Army.’
James went on to speculate about Harry’s future, and said that his protective nature means he will likely step out of the spotlight.
He added that he suspects the duke will be ‘successful at all future endeavours’ -whether they be private or public.
Gay serviceman James is pictured in 2009, on the front cover of Soldier magazine – nine years after the Army lifted its ban on homosexuality
The former soldier, pictured last year, explained that Harry enjoyed being away from his ‘other life’ and the pressures of being a royal as it was something ‘away from what he was used to’
‘He’s a very smart man, he’s an intelligent man and he’s got a family to look after,’ he said.
‘I know that he’s protective of people he cares about, so I think he will be okay. I have no doubt, whatever he goes off to do, he’ll be successful at it.
‘But I just hope he doesn’t go away for too long – particularly with the Armed Forces.’
James’ comments follow the news earlier this week that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are stepping down as senior royals – making their announcement days after returning from a six-week break in Canada.
The couple were blasted by aides who claim the Royal Family ‘bent over backwards for them’ since they got together in 2016, only for them to quit anyway without consulting the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William.
The Queen (right at King’s Lynn railway station on December 20) is said to be furious at Harry and Meghan (left, at Canada House on January 7) as they step down as senior royals
Pictured: The initial statement from Buckingham Palace earlier this week following Harry and Meghan’s shock social media announcement that they would be stepping down from senior royal duties
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex released this statement on their Instagram page announcing that they will be quitting their royal roles
Their dramatic decision is believed to have been taken without the knowledge of their family, who learnt about the announcement as it broke on television news channels.
Harry underwent two tours of Afghanistan after entering The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in May 2005, and James previously spoke of the friendship the pair shared.
He recalled an incident in which Harry ‘told off’ some soldiers who were harassing him due to his sexuality and was ‘quite offended’ that his gunner was ‘being picked on’.
‘I’d got myself into a bit of a situation with some soldiers from another regiment and, essentially, they didn’t like the fact I was gay,’ James recalled.
‘They were sort-of chest poking me and making me feel quite uncomfortable.
James hopes Harry’s work with the Invictus Games will continue. Harry is pictured with Prince Charles during the first ever opening ceremony in 2014
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are pictured watching Wheelchair Tennis at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada
‘I got into my tank where Prince Harry was doing something, and he could see that I was clearly affected by something and he asked me what the problem was.
‘I told him that there were a couple of soldiers outside who weren’t very happy with the fact I was gay.
‘Quite offended that his gunner was being picked on by these people, Prince Harry went out and saw these soldiers and spoke to them, and the problem went away. He told them off and they left me alone.’
In 2014, Harry created the Invictus Games, an international adaptive multi-sport event in which wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel and their associated veterans, compete in various athletic competitions.
James said he hopes that despite his decision to step down as a senior royal, all the great work he has done with the charity will continue.
‘I think he will keep a close bond with the military, I think the work he does with things like Invictus is really important,’ he said.
‘He’s well respected for it within the community of the Armed Forces and outside of it. The Armed Forces is so strong that I’m absolutely certain his role and relationship with the military will continue.’
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