Veteran reveals what it was like fighting alongside Prince Harry in Afghanistan

An Army veteran who served with Prince Harry in Afghanistan has insisted that the Duke of Sussex was never ‘mollycoddled’ in the military.

Steve Sampher, who was shot in the head and lost his leg, appeared on Good Morning Britain as he explained he would be reuniting with the veteran royal at the Invictus Games next month.

The Duke served in the Army for 10 years in total, rising to the rank of Captain and undertaking two tours of Afghanistan.

During the second tour, he spent four months as an apache helicopter pilot – from September 2012 to January 2013.

He praised the Duke’s work, saying he was never treated differently to other soldiers, and adding: ‘You’d bump into Harry in the cookhouse and have a chat with him.’ 

Steve Sampher (pictured) – who was shot in the head and lost his leg, will be reuniting with the veteran royal at the Invictus Games next month

Meanwhile he explained: ‘Having the Apache call signs above us basically scared off the insurgence, the Taliban, whoever it was we were up against at the time, which gave us breathing space to do our job better.’

Steve, who plays wheelchair rugby for Hull FC, also said that it will be ‘good to see him again’ at the Invictus Games, which he is competing in next month. 

The athlete, who’s spent the past nine months training, has been feeling ‘really well’ about the upcoming challenge, and is set to join the others in going to Dusseldorf next Wednesday. 

He opened up about finding a lot of motivation to challenge his physical body due to the ‘military ethos’ ingrained in veterans.

‘We joined the military to serve, give ourselves a sense of purpose… belonging,’ he told the programme.

‘When you’re injured, it’s reverting back to that.’

It comes following a recent confirmation that Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, 42, will both be attending the Closing Ceremony at this year’s Invictus Games for injured service people in Germany – amid claims she will not be in the UK with Harry on the eve of the anniversary of the Queen’s death.

Close friend and confidant of the Sussexes Omid Scobie posted the news on social media yesterday, adding that while Harry will attend the entire games, Meghan will ‘join him later on’ and stay for the Closing Ceremony, before returning to the US.

Harry (pictured right in Afghanistan in 2012) set up the Games himself, holding the first in 2014, with this year’s event marking the sixth following previous editions in London, Sydney and Toronto

Steve (pictured), who plays wheelchair rugby for Hull FC, also said that it will be ‘good to see him again’ at the Invictus Games, which he is competing in next month

Mr Scobie said: ‘A spokesperson confirms that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are ‘delighted to be attending’ the Invictus Games 2023 in Düsseldorf next month. 

‘Harry will be there from the start and Meghan will join him later on in the competition. They’ll both be at the closing ceremony.’

It emerged this week that Prince Harry will be returning to the UK on the eve of the anniversary of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s death.

Meghan is expected to miss the opening ceremony of the sporting event for wounded military personnel and veterans being staged in Dusseldorf from September 9 over eight days.

But she will fly to Europe and join husband Harry shortly after the event – which will see participants from across the globe taking part – begins.

The Games will take place from 9-16 September under the motto ‘A Home for Respect’, and will see 550 athletes compete in 10 sports from 21 different nations. Harry pictured at the opening of the Royal British Legion Wootton Bassett Field of Remembrance in 2010 

The Duke of Sussex (pictured in Afghanistan in 2012) is set to fly out from California to London but will not be accompanied by Meghan, who will fly straight to Germany for the Invictus Games

Before the Invictus Games get under way, Harry will travel to the UK to attend a charity’s awards ceremony on the eve of the first anniversary of the late Queen’s death. Harry and Meghan pictured in 2017

Opening of the Royal British Legion Wootton Bassett Field of Remembrance, Lydiard Park, Wiltshire, Britain – 09 Nov 2010Harry set up the Games himself, holding the first in 2014, with this year’s event marking the sixth following previous editions in London, Sydney and Toronto. 

It has also been an event of significance for him throughout the years, with the 2017 games marking his first public appearance with Meghan. 

The Games will take place from 9-16 September under the motto ‘A Home for Respect’, and will see 550 athletes compete in 10 sports from 21 different nations. 

Before the Invictus Games get under way, Harry will travel to the UK to attend a charity’s awards ceremony on the eve of the first anniversary of the late Queen’s death.

Harry will celebrate the achievements and resilience of seriously ill youngsters and their families supported by the charity WellChild, at the event being staged in London on September 7.

The Duke of Sussex is set to fly out from California to London but will not be accompanied by Meghan, who will fly straight to Germany for the Invictus Games. 

And he is not expected to see any of his family following an intense souring of relations following the publication of his book, Spare, and the couple’s Netflix docuseries.

There are no public or private family gatherings planned for the anniversary of the Queen who died at Balmoral last year, aged 96, during her traditional summer stay at the castle.