Prince Harry
Prince Harry visits the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, in central London, November 6, 2014. Reuters/Pool/Matthew Lloyd

Prince Harry always wanted to serve in the military and when he conveyed this desire to his family, they were not very forthcoming because they were concerned about his safety. But, the royal wasn't discouraged. In fact, he was adamant about it and eventually went on to fulfill it.

After ten years of service, he retired in 2015. According to Express, Prince Philip wanted Harry to choose the Navy as that was much safer and also the traditional way.

Nevertheless, he finished his training and was deployed in 2007. As one can imagine, his family was worried. But, they were also concerned that the Taliban would make him a target. But, nothing could stop the royal. In fact, he fought on the front line. However, the royal was merely inches away from death while serving in Afghanistan.

In her book, Harry: Conversations with the Prince, biographer Angela Levin reveals that the royal's encounter with death came to light in 2016, years after he returned from the war zone. Tom Pal, who was a soldier with Harry at that time, explains what happened in a book called "Coldstream Guard."

princeharry
Red Heads Rule! And they rule even more if they are a) A Prince, and b) In Uniform. Reuters

He wrote the terrifying incident in the book:" I remember one afternoon before evening scoff, or a gurkha curry was on I was sitting chatting with both Captain Russell and Prince Harry about random stuff when the camp was hit by a Chinese 107mm rocket ... whoosh, bang, wallop."

He continues, "We had been attacked and we just looked at each other and Captain Russell mentioned we'd better put our body armor and helmet on. Bit late, but we did."

The chilling episode occurred just 50 meters from where they were sitting. Sergeant Pal also mentioned that the royal was shaken by the incident, which is understandable.

After serving for only ten weeks in Afghanistan, Harry was called back home because the Australia women's magazine, New Idea, had unknowingly revealed his location. It, of course, irked the royal, but he went on to train as a pilot and years later, returned to Afghanistan, and served for 20 weeks.

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