The Queen wanted Prince William and Prince Harry to fight in Afghanistan, a new programme says.

Then-Army head General Sir Mike Jackson makes the claim in a series called The Real Crown which will air on ITVX this month.

He has broken strict protocol by revealing details of a private meeting with the late monarch.

Sir Mike told the ITV series: ‘What goes on in those audiences and who says what to whom remains for the two people involved, and I will break the rule about not divulging what goes on on this one occasion.

‘She was very clear. She said, “My grandsons have taken my shilling, therefore they must do their duty.” And that was that.

‘But it was decided that William as heir to the throne, the risk is too great.

‘But for his younger brother, the risk was acceptable.’

The series reveals it was not a decision taken lightly by the Queen – who was briefed and had a ‘deep understanding’ of the war.

Sir John Scarlett, then head of MI6 told the programme: ‘Of course she has complete clearance to everything.

‘She has complete access to an exceptional amount of info and insight for longer than anyone else.

‘She’s very, very discreet, completely reliable and completely on top of the detail.

‘I remember thinking at the time, “Wow, Her Majesty knows more about this than we do.”‘

Despite William wanting to join the war, he was prevented from doing so because he is a future king.

Mark Cann, director of the British Forces Foundation, tells the series: ‘William was very keen to go. Unequivocally.

‘But it was complex, and some very great minds and experienced people took a view on it.

‘I think it was really tricky. Anybody who’s in the military who hasn’t actually been on operation feels a sense of disappointment.

‘And I think especially that was the one [war] at the time, you’ve got everyone around you at the time who’s been involved in it. So there is a sense of disappointment.’

William completed a 44-week training course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst after graduating from university.

He became an Army officer in 2006 and joined the Household Cavalry (Blues and Royals) until 2008, and was then attached to the Navy and Royal Air Force.

Harry completed two operational tours of duty in Afghanistan — in 2007-2008 and 2012-2013.

Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment.

The Real Crown begins on April 20 on ITVX.

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