Prince Harry visited Pearl Harbor in Hawaii to mark Remembrance Sunday and shared a heartfelt message to young people who have lost family members in battle.
The Duke of Sussex wore a poppy with a casual blue suit, but not his military medals, for the occasion as he inspected USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu. He appeared to be alone and was not joined by his wife Meghan or their children Archie and Lilibet.
Instead, the pair used their Archewell website to share a previously unreleased photograph from their visit to the Invictus Games in the Hague in April. The games was founded by the duke in 2014 as a competition for current and foreign servicemen who have been injured in combat or otherwise.
A statement from the Sussexes alongside the picture read: “We are proud to work with so many organizations (sic) that support veterans and military families, including: The Invictus Games Foundation, The Mission Continues, Team Rubicon, Scotty’s Little Soldiers and The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation. Today and every day, thank you for your service.”
The duke served in the military for a decade but, while he is no longer permitted to wear military uniform after leaving the royal family, he is allowed to wear medals.
Royals, including the King and William, Prince of Wales, attended the Cenotaph in Whitehall on Sunday to pay their respects to the fallen.
The duke has not laid a wreath of his own at the Cenotaph since moving away from royal duties in 2020. He instead chose to pay his respects in the US but sent a note to members of Scotty's Little Soldiers - a UK charity which supports children whose parents have died while serving in the armed forces.
“I know first-hand the pain and grief that comes with loss and want you to know that you are not alone,” he wrote.
“While difficult feelings will come up today as we pay tribute to heroes like your mum or dad, I hope you can find comfort and strength in knowing that their love for you lives and shines on.
“Whenever you need a reminder of this, I encourage you to lean into your friends at Scotty's Little Soldiers.
“One of the ways I've learned to cope has been through community and talking about my grief, and I couldn't be more grateful and relieved that you have amazing people walking beside you throughout your journey.”
