In the joint statement shared on their Archewell website, Prince Harry and Meghan said: “The world is exceptionally fragile right now.

“As we all feel the many layers of pain due to the situation in Afghanistan, we are left speechless.”

While Harry served spent ten years in the army, including two frontline tours of Afghanistan, critics questioned why Meghan attached her name to the statement.

The Duchess of Sussex has been urged to stick to “Hollywood gossip” after releasing a statement about Afghanistan

Lee Cohen, senior fellow of the Bow Group think tank, urged the Duchess to stick to “Hollywood gossip” when speaking to the Daily Express website.

He also asked, “why would serious people even tune in?

“I have not seen any reaction from military personnel, why would serious people even tune in to what Ms Markle has to say on this or any issue except Hollywood gossip?

“Interestingly, the Sussexes were careful to avoid mention of embattled Biden, whom they have always lined up behind.

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“I recall that the Biden White House was quick to praise the Sussexes for their ‘courage’ opening up about their mental health issues through the Oprah interview.

“Now that Biden has earned the world’s scorn for his Afghanistan catastrophe, the Sussexes’ cosiness with the failed leader is less desirable.”

Amid the Taliban’s seizure of power in Afghanistan – two weeks before the US was set to complete its troop withdrawal – Harry also issued a statement with senior figures from The Invictus Games.

The statement read: “What’s happening in Afghanistan resonates across the international Invictus community.

“Many of the participating nations and competitors in the Invictus Games family are bound by a shared experience of serving in Afghanistan over the past two decades, and for several years, we have competed alongside Invictus Games Team Afghanistan.

“We encourage everybody across the Invictus network – and the wider military community – to reach out to each other and offer support for one another.”

Harry passed his Regular Commissions Board – the qualification necessary to train at Sandhurst – in September 2004.

After completing a period of work experience, Harry entered The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in May 2005 to begin his training as an officer cadet.

During the 44-week training course, Harry was known as Officer Cadet Wales.

He eventually rose to the rank of captain.