Prince William was repeatedly prevented from serving on the front line in Afghanistan despite determined efforts to secure his deployment, according to a former senior royal aide.
Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, who served as principal private secretary to both the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex, has disclosed that he fought unsuccessfully to allow William to follow his younger brother into the war zone.
The former SAS officer, who oversaw much of the princes’ early military careers, said security officials consistently ruled out the future King’s deployment because of the risks involved.
Prince Harry completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan during his Army career, although his first deployment in 2008 was cut short after details of his presence were leaked, raising concerns that his location had become known to Taliban forces.
William, however, was never granted permission to undertake a similar operational deployment.
Speaking to The Times, Lowther-Pinkerton said both brothers were committed soldiers who wanted to serve alongside their fellow servicemen and women.
“When they were soldiers, it was important that they did it right and properly,” he said, explaining that he wanted both princes to earn genuine military experience rather than receive special treatment.
He described William and Harry as “brave guys” and said his aim was to ensure they could one day say they had fulfilled their duty.
The revelation echoes comments William himself made in 2010, when he admitted it was “a pity” he had not been allowed to deploy to Afghanistan while serving with the Army.
At the time, the Prince acknowledged there were legitimate security concerns but suggested some objections had been overstated.
“There are some slightly valid arguments as to why not,” he said, “but many of them are hyped up as to why I couldn’t go.”
William had originally served with the Household Cavalry before transferring to the Royal Air Force, where he qualified as a search and rescue helicopter pilot. Although some members of his former regiment were deployed to Afghanistan, he remained in the UK.
Lowther-Pinkerton, who worked for the brothers between 2005 and 2013 before continuing in a part-time role for another year, also reflected on the ongoing rift between William and Harry.
Asked whether he believed the brothers could repair their relationship, he declined to comment directly on the dispute.
“I think I’d better steer clear of that Harry issue,” he said.
However, he added that he remained “very fond” of the Duke of Sussex and described himself as “a perennial optimist”, suggesting he still hoped reconciliation could eventually happen.
The relationship between the brothers has remained strained since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from royal duties in 2020. Tensions have since deepened following the couple’s interview with Oprah Winfrey, their Netflix documentary series and Harry’s memoir, Spare.
Harry said last year that he wanted to rebuild ties with his family, telling the BBC: “I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to return to Britain together next month with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, for events marking one year until the Birmingham Invictus Games. Reports have suggested King Charles has offered the family accommodation on a royal estate, although it is understood no response has yet been received.
Image: WPA Rota Pool / i-Images
