LONDON — Britain’s Prince Harry is being praised on recently revealed news that that he intervened and prevented a planned attack on a gay soldier in 2008.
The account was published in a new memoir, “Out in the Army” by British soldier Lance Corporal James Wharton.
Wharton writes that Prince Harry — who was his tank commander — stopped the homophobic attack, during which soldiers from another regiment said they were going to “batter” him, reported London’s Daily Mail.
“I told him, ‘I think I’m going to be murdered by the infantry.’ I climbed into the turret and talked Harry through exactly what had happened. He had a complete look of bewilderment on his face.
“I couldn’t stop the tears from welling up in my eyes. He said, ‘Right I’m going to sort this shit out once and for all.’
“He climbed out of the tank and I poked my head out of the turret a few moments later to see him having a go,” Wharton said.
Harry, a Troop Commander in the Blues and Royals, confronted the tormentors, warning them they would face severe discipline if they continued their violent threats.
“I could see he wasn’t holding back,” said Wharton, who was 21 at the time.
After taking on the gang, Harry briefed a senior officer before returning to assure Wharton the situation had been “sorted.”
The incident occurred during a training exercise in Canada in 2008.
Never Miss a Beat
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights.
Wharton described Prince Harry as “one of my greatest protectors,” and said the royal’s acceptance of his homosexuality made him realize that he was right to be open about it, despite another attack which left him hospitalized.
A excerpt of Wharon’s book appears in the Daily Mail.