Prince Harry has reflected on his years of military service and urged people to show greater support for veterans as Britain prepares to mark its annual Remembrance Sunday.
In a heartfelt message released by his US office, the Duke of Sussex — who completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan — said that although he now lives abroad, “Britain is, and always will be, the country I proudly served and fought for.”
The 41-year-old prince reminisced about the aspects of British life he holds dear, saying: “The banter of the mess, the clubhouse, the pub, the stands — ridiculous as it sounds, these are the things that make us British.”
Harry, the younger son of King Charles III, has been largely estranged from the royal family since stepping down from royal duties with his wife, Meghan Markle, in 2020. However, he has expressed hope for reconciliation and reportedly met his father during a visit to London in September.
King Charles, 76, is currently receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, which was made public in early 2024.
Reflecting on his time in the armed forces, Harry said he had witnessed “courage and compassion in the harshest conditions imaginable” but also saw “how easy it can be, once the uniform comes off, for those who gave everything, to feel forgotten.”
He encouraged members of the public to reach out to veterans, saying, “Knock on their doors, join them for a cuppa or a pint, listen to their stories, and remind them their service still matters.”
The annual Remembrance Sunday ceremony will take place at the Cenotaph memorial in central London, where the nation will pay tribute to those who lost their lives in war.
Since leaving the army, Prince Harry has dedicated himself to supporting veterans through the Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded servicemen and women.
He emphasised that the remembrance event was not about “glorifying war” but rather about “recognising its cost — the lives changed forever and the lessons paid for through unimaginable sacrifice.”
