Prince Harry: JJ Chalmers reveals when he last spoke to Duke JJ Chalmers has opened up about his special bond with Prince Harry after they first met in 2014, while he prepared to compete in the triathlon. The pair bonded over their experiences in the Armed Forces after JJ had survived a week in a coma at the Queen Elizabeth military hospital in Birmingham. During his time in the Royal Marines, the former soldier and his comrades were blown up after accidentally stepping on an IED (improvised explosive device) in 2011.
JJ says he woke up on his back “pulverised” by rubble and with wounds to almost every part of his body. Ahead of his 2020 Strictly appearance, he recalled: “Every part of my body had sustained some sort of damage. Read more: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's mouthpiece takes cruel swipe at William Prince Harry invited JJ Chalmers to take part in the Invictus Games (Image: Getty) “My legs were torn open, my face was crushed, my neck was broken, my arms were pretty well torn off.
" JJ called the aftermath of the explosion “the worst pain I have ever experienced,” as he endured 30 operations, many lasting up to a gruelling 14 hours. “My arms essentially came off, and they were stuck back on by incredible surgeons in the coming weeks, and months, and years, for that matter.” He continued: “My face was crushed, my neck was broken, my eardrums were burst.
Pretty much everything had had some level of damage.” “But, except for a couple of fingers, everything was still there. It was all stuck back together, the surgeon built me a new body.
” Don't miss...
Prince Harry considers UK summer trip to see Royal Family without Meghan [LATEST] William and Kate's surprise 'olive branch' to Harry and Meghan [INSIGHT] Harry praised for avoiding 'unthinkable' move which would 'damage Royal Family' [LATEST] JJ Chalmers took part on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020 (Image: BBC) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Read our Privacy Policy Although JJ suffered horrifying injuries from the bomb blast it led to his friendship with Prince Harry , as the royal persuaded him to take part in the Invictus Games. They became so close that JJ and his wife Kornelia were invited to all three parts of Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle - having met just four years before the big day. Ahead of the wedding, JJ told The Mirror: “The idea that somehow my life has gone from that to this is so incredible.
I will also be sitting there going, ‘Have a good day, mate’. “I sit here thinking ‘ Prince Harry ’s my friend’. Every time I see him, I have fun.
It’s going to be awesome, a cracking day.” Trending He later told The Big Issue Magazine: “Harry's a friend of mine and someone I dearly love and wish the best for. I wouldn't be stood here talking to you if it wasn't for him.
Not to lay all of it at his feet, but he's one of the key people who created one of the key catalysts in my recovery. For that, I'll be forever grateful." Prince Harry also offered some kind words and shared: “The founder of Invictus Games, himself a proud father.
“When I first met JJ he was a shell of himself but then to see you shine through Invictus and to be yourself again, that was the start of an amazing journey.” Related articles Inside Meghan Markle's new Netflix show where famous faces are set to appear Queen Camilla's very telling two-word response to Harry and Meghan engagement Late Queen's one move pushed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'to the edge' Prince William's cheeky first words to Meghan during meeting Meghan Markle's nine-word statement on Kamala Harris as she replaces Joe Biden.
