31 August 2023 , 22:35
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An amputee dubbed a "hero" by Prince Harry has told how he disagrees with the royal's claims that the media didn't do enough to cover the plight of wounded British troops in Afghanistan.
The Duke of Sussex has featured in a five-part documentary called Heart of Invictus, which follows former military servicemen and women on their road to the Invictus Games - a Paralympic-style sporting competition which he set up in 2014 for injured and sick military personnel and veterans.
In one part of the Netflix series, Harry describes the moment he saw severely injured service personnel being flown back to the UK. He explains how a curtain on the flight flew back and gave him a glimpse inside the air hospital, where stricken soldiers were receiving crucial treatment.
The duke said: "Stepping off the plane I was angry at what happened to these guys — I was angry that the media weren't covering it. But at that point it wasn't clear to me what needed to be done." This comment has since been disputed, with some arguing that there was huge coverage and support as well as several high-profile charity campaigns, such as Help for Heroes, for injured soldiers and the families of those that lost their lives.
The veteran has told how he disagrees with the royal's claims (SWNS.com)Former Royal Marine Commando Ben McBean, 36, lost an arm and a leg when he stepped on a Taliban landmine, and was expected to die on the flight home. He travelled back with Prince Harry, who said at the time: "Those are the heroes. Guys who had been blown up by a mine – serving their country doing a normal patrol."
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Reacting to Harry's latest comments, he told The Sun: "I have had his back for 15 years. I’ve always championed him but it doesn’t mean I have to agree with everything that comes out of his mouth. On this one the Duke of Sussex is wrong." He added: "My mum, dad and uncle have met him and William. I think Harry is cool but I am a 36-year-old man and I don’t agree with him.
"The papers and the media explained why the war was on and why you were going to see amputees walking in your local city." His comments come after the duke made a surprise appearance at a special US preview screening in California of the new five-part show, which has been more than two years in the making.
Mr McBean during The Flora London Marathon 2009 (REX/Shutterstock)
He lost an arm and a leg when he stepped on a Taliban landmine (PA)He emerged to introduce it, telling the audience about the sacrifices that veterans and their families make while serving their country. The series also charts the story of the Ukrainian team preparing for the competition in The Hague in 2022 against the backdrop of the Russian invasion.
It tells the story of paramedic Yuliia "Taira" Paievska who was training for the tournament when she was captured and held prisoner by Russian troops. She was eventually released in the wake of global publicity at The Hague games about her situation.
Harry is listed in the credits as an executive producer of the series, which was made in association with Harry and Meghan's Archewell Productions. It is directed by Orlando von Einsiedel and produced by Joanna Natasegara, who worked together on the Oscar-winning short The White Helmets.
Heart of Invictus forms part of the Sussexes' multimillion-pound deal with Netflix - with their main output so far being last year's controversial Harry & Meghan documentary. The six-part series last December saw the duke and duchess shed light on their troubled life within the royal family and accuse Kensington Palace of lying at the Megxit summit to protect Harry's brother William, and father Charles, now King.
Meanwhile, the couple's other lucrative media deal - with Spotify - ended in June after one season of Meghan's podcast Archetypes. Heart of Invictus has been released in the run-up to next month's Invictus Games which begins in Dusseldorf on September 9, with Harry set to travel to Germany for the start of the tournament, and Meghan joining later.