Prince Harry to homophobic soldiers: 'Back the f--k off' - New York Daily News

Britain's Prince Harry came to the defense of an openly gay soldier under his command, saving him from being beaten by homophobic members of a rival regiment, according to a new memoir.

In James Wharton's "Out In The Army," the former lance corporal describes how the Royal defended him in 2008 during war training exercises in Canada.

Six soldiers from a rival regiment had threatened to ambush him because he had relations with a fellow infantrymen, the book says.

Wharton went to Prince Harry, his tank commander, who later confronted the soldiers and told them to "back the f--k off," Wharton says in his book, according to several British reports.

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Wharton recounts the conversation with his commanding officer this way:

'Sir, I need to talk to you.'

'Why? What's up? Are you OK?'

Harry instantly looked concerned. I told him: 'I think I'm about to be murdered by the infantry.'

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I climbed into the turret and talked Harry through exactly what had happened. He had a complete look of bewilderment on his face.

I didn't hold back: I told him everything that had gone on. I couldn't stop the tears from welling up in my eyes.

He said: 'Right. I'm going to sort this s--t out once and for all.'

Harry climbed out of the tank and started having a go. I worried he was about to make the whole thing worse, but he wasn't holding back. Prince Harry was sticking up for me and putting a stop to the trouble. I had been on track for a battering and had been rescued.

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He came back ten minutes later and told me the problem had been 'sorted'.

He told me: 'I knew one of his officers and we cleared everything up. I also told those other lads to back the f--k off, too.'

The book, scheduled for release on June 24, is published by Britain's Biteback Publishing.

Prince Harry, who entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2005, completed his officer's training a year later.

He rose through the ranks while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, and later trained as an attack helicopter pilot.

Capt. Wales, as he is known, returned from a 20-week mission in Afghanistan in January.

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dhastings@nydailynews.com