Prince Harry issues heartfelt statement after missing out on royal reunion at Remembrance

Prince Harry, who has served two tours of duty in Afghanistan, did not join the royals at the Cenotaph for Remembrance Sunday - but has now issued a rare statement paying tribute to veterans

Prince Harry has issued a rare statement paying tribute to veterans - just hours after missing out on joining the royals at Remembrance Sunday.

The Duke of Sussex, who had a long military career and served on two tours of duty in Afghanistan, used to be a firm fixture at the Remembrance Sunday service. But since he and wife Meghan dramatically quit their royal roles, they have not taken part in the ceremony since 2019.

However, this hasn't stopped Harry from recognising veterans' service - and today he released a rare message marking Remembrance Day in the UK and Veterans Day in the US, where he paid tribute to veterans, reaffirming his "lifelong admiration and appreciation" for their "service and sacrifice".

Harry praised veterans for having played a "vital role in defending the values of liberty, freedom, and security", saying: "These values bind us together and have shaped you as leaders and role models."

In the statement published on the Sussex.com website, the Duke of Sussex added: "As you continue to serve making valued contributions to communities, colleagues, households and all those we love my hope is that our communities will continue to serve your needs too.

"Your contributions do not stop because you no longer wear the uniform, and the collective sense of appreciation for what you have done for your countries should not stop either. Let today be a reminder that the true measure of gratitude is not in words alone, but in our actions and our ongoing efforts to build a world worthy of the sacrifices that those before us have made and to protect it for generations to come.

"To all those who have served – past and present – I offer my deepest respect and thanks. Your service has made a lasting, positive impact for our communities, our nations, and our shared future. I am honored to stand with you."

However, despite not being among those laying wreaths at the Cenotaph yesterday, it has been revealed that Harry did leave his mark on the poignant day. That's because he made sure a group of young children who were given the opportunity to take part in the Royal British Legion's march past the Cenotaph were given a little treat.

Harry is an ambassador for the charity Scotty's Little Soldiers, which supports bereaved children whose parents have died in military service. Some of the children supported by the charity took part in the march past and he made sure they all had sweets to enjoy.

Charity founder Nikki Scott explained: "He’s very much in contact. He sent the children sweets today as well. They all have sweets in their pockets from Prince Harry." Harry's gesture comes after he told bereaved military children he "understands, perhaps more than most" the weight of losing a parent at a young age.

Harry last took part in Remembrance Sunday in 2019. In 2020, he was said to be "saddened and disappointed" not to have had a wreath laid on his behalf at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday, a book has claimed.

When he stepped down as a working royal, Harry was stripped of his military posts, including his role as Captain General of the Royal Marines. It was reported at the time Harry's wreath had been made but after his request was refused, it laid unused in a box at the Royal British Legion's Kent HQ.

But in the biography Finding Freedom, it is claimed his request was denied because he was no longer a "frontline royal". Instead, Harry and Meghan chose to pay their own tribute and were snapped laying a wreath at the Los Angeles National Cemetery and placing flowers on the graves of two Commonwealth soldiers. The wreath was inscribed: "In Memory of the Men Who Offered Their Lives in Defense of Their Country". On it, Harry had written: "To all those who have served, and are serving. Thank you."