In 2020, Prince Harry’s request for a wreath to be laid at the Cenotaph on his behalf was refused by royal courtiers. He had wanted to return to the UK for the event, The Telegraph was told at the time, but would have had no official role and was not invited.
Harry and Meghan were then pictured laying flowers at the Los Angeles National Cemetery and were forced to deny it was a “PR stunt” amid a backlash.
In 2021, the couple attended a Salute to Freedom gala in New York, where Harry praised the “value” of service members and their families.
The following year, he sent a letter of support to children who have lost a parent while serving in the armed forces, encouraging them to speak about their experiences.
‘Lifelong admiration and appreciation’
In 2023, the Duke, who is no longer permitted to wear military uniform to ceremonial events, marked Remembrance Day with a statement saying that “contributions do not stop because you no longer wear the uniform”.
In 2024, he reaffirmed his “lifelong admiration and appreciation” for veterans’ “service and sacrifice”.
Prince Harry, who founded the Invictus Games for sick and wounded veterans, was said to have been devastated when he was stripped of the honorary military titles he held during his working royal life.
Like his uncle, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, he is now prevented from wearing military uniform at ceremonial events although both were permitted to do so during vigils for Elizabeth II at Westminster Hall in 2022.
He has previously said that wearing his military uniform was among “the greatest honours there are in life” and that Remembrance Day for him was a moment for “respect and for hope”.
He first laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in 2009 at the age of 25.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.telegraph.co.uk ’
