Prince Harry has told children who have lost their parents in the British Armed Forces that he shares a bond with them through losing his mother.
The Duke of Sussex wrote a letter to children who are members of Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity for bereaved British Forces children and young people for Remembrance Sunday.
“As many of us observe and reflect on Remembrance Sunday, I wanted to write to you and let you know you are all in my thoughts and heart today," he wrote in a letter dated November 13.
“We share a bond even without ever meeting one another, because we share in having lost a parent.
“I know first-hand the pain and grief that comes with loss and want you to know that you are not alone.
Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex through the years - in pictures
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Doria Ragland, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, attend the Ms Foundation Women of Vision Awards in New York City. Getty -
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies in Los Angeles in April. Getty -
The royal couple speak onstage at the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala in New York in December 2022. Getty -
Prince Harry and Meghan watch as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is placed into the hearse following the state funeral service at Westminster Abbey in central London in September 2022. AP -
Prince Harry and Meghan pay their respects at the Palace of Westminster. Getty -
Prince Harry, Meghan and Kate, Princess of Wales, attend a service for the reception of Queen Elizabeth's coffin at Westminster Hall. AFP -
The Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince Harry and Meghan meet members of the public outside Windsor Castle. Getty -
Prince Harry and Meghan leave after a service of thanksgiving for the queen. Getty -
Prince Harry and Meghan at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York in September 2021. AP -
Prince Harry and Meghan on the cover of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world edition, in September 2021. Reuters -
Prince Harry and Meghan are interviewed by Oprah Winfrey in March 2021. Reuters -
Prince Harry and Meghan shared this image on social media in February 2021 to announce they were expecting their second child. AFP -
Prince Harry and Meghan visit Canada House, London, in January 2020. Getty -
Prince Harry and Meghan visit Auwal Mosque on Heritage Day during their royal tour of South Africa in September 2019. Getty -
Prince Harry, Meghan and their son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor in South Africa in September 2019. Getty -
Prince Harry and Meghan meet Beyonce Knowles-Carter and Jay-Z at the European Premiere of Disney's The Lion King at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, London, in July 2019. Getty -
Prince Harry and Meghan pose for a photo with the New York Yankees before their baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at London Stadium in June 2019. Getty -
Prince Harry and Meghan pose with their newborn son Archie in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle in May 2019. Getty -
Meghan, joined by her mother Ms Ragland, shows her new son to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at Windsor Castle in May 2019. AP -
Prince Harry and Meghan officially open Number 7, a Feeding Birkenhead citizen’s supermarket and community cafe in Merseyside in January 2019. Getty -
Prince William, the Princess of Wales, Meghan and Prince Harry attend a Christmas Day church service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate in December 2018. Getty -
Prince William, Prince Harry, Meghan and the Duchess of Cambridge attend a service marking the centenary of the First World War armistice at Westminster Abbey in November 2018. Getty -
Prince Harry and Meghan visit Redwoods Tree Walk in October 2018 in Rotorua, New Zealand. Getty -
Prince Harry and Meghan visit an exhibition of Tongan handicrafts at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre in October 2018 in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. Getty -
Prince Harry and Meghan visit the University of the South Pacific in October 2018 in Suva, Fiji. Getty -
Prince Harry and Meghan address the public during a Community Event at Victoria Park in October 2018 in Dubbo, Australia. Getty -
Prince Harry and Meghan meet a koala during a visit to Taronga Zoo in October 2018 in Sydney, Australia. Getty -
Prince Harry and Meghan arrive at the University of Chichester's Engineering and Digital Technology Park during an official visit to West Sussex in October 2018. Getty -
The queen, Meghan, Prince Harry, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge watch the RAF 100th anniversary fly-past from the balcony of Buckingham Palace in July 2018. Getty -
Prince Harry and Meghan on their wedding day in May 2018. Getty -
Prince Harry places a wedding ring on his new wife's finger. Getty -
Meghan and Prince Harry head to their evening wedding reception at Frogmore House. Getty -
Prince Harry and Meghan walk through the corridors of the Palace of Holyroodhouse on their way to a reception for young people at the Palace in February 2018 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Getty -
Prince Harry and his then-fiancee Meghan visit Nottingham for their first official public engagement together in December 2017. Getty
“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 learnt 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.
Prince William, Prince Harry and wives make joint appearance - in pictures
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Britain's William, Prince of Wales, second left, his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, left, along with Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, look at floral tributes as they walk outside Windsor Castle. Reuters -
Left to right: The Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex at Windsor Castle. AFP -
The royals meet people outside Windsor Castle. AP -
Walking together outside Windsor Castle. Reuters -
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are staying at Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor estate, just a stone's throw from Prince William and his wife Kate's new home, Adelaide Cottage. PA -
The royals speak and shake hands with different sides of the cheering crowds. AP -
A pause to look at floral tributes laid by members of the public on the Long Walk at Windsor Castle. AFP -
Prince Harry points at a floral tribute. Reuters -
In his first speech as king on Friday, Charles, 73, spoke of his love for his second son and daughter-in-law. AP -
The two couples had last been seen together at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in 2020. Reuters
“We all know some days are harder than others, but together those days are made easier.
“Today and every day, I admire and respect all the men and women who have given their lives in service of us — especially those in your family.
“I am also incredibly proud of you for being the best example in remembering them.”
Prince Harry and Meghan attend Invictus Games - in pictures
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Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle at the opening of the Invictus Games in The Hague. AFP -
The Duchess of Sussex spoke at the event. AFP -
Harry and Meghan cheer the athletes. AFP -
Harry founded the games to help the rehabilitation of injured or sick military service members. AFP -
Harry says those involved with Invictus have overcome immense challenges. AFP -
The couple received a standing ovation as they praised 'boundless humility, the compassion and the friendship” of the event. Getty Images -
The Duke of Sussex praised the Ukrainian team. EPA -
Harry says events such as Invictus create opportunities for how to better support Ukraine. AP -
The Duke of Sussex during the Jaguar Land Rover driving challenge. AFP -
Harry is driven by a child in a children's car. EPA -
The couple cheer the participants. AFP -
The couple ride on children's cars. EPA -
The couple obliged photographers and fans. Reuters
Prince Harry has a long-standing relationship with Scotty’s Little Soldiers, which was was set up by war widow Nikki Scott in 2010 after the death of her husband Cpl Lee Scott in Afghanistan in 2009.
She saw the devastating effects on their two young children and wanted to help others in the same situation.
“We are so grateful to Prince Harry for his continued support," Ms Scott said.
“Our members know that he truly understands what it’s like to grow up without a parent and it means so much to them to know his thoughts are with them.
“To receive his letter on Remembrance Sunday has given them a huge boost on a proud but difficult day.”
