Despite not being part of the royals’ Remembrance commemorations, Prince Harry still marked the sombre and reflective day.

Harry, who had a long military career and served on two tours of duty in Afghanistan, released a rare, heartfelt statement to mark Remembrance – and he said veterans should be appreciated, even when they don’t wear the uniform – a seeming pointed dig at the royals.

It came after he missed out on joining the rest of his royal relatives at the Cenotaph for the annual Remembrance Sunday ceremony. Since he and wife Meghan Markle dramatically quit their royal roles, they have not taken part in the ceremony since 2019.

Prince Harry was allowed to wear uniform during a vigil for the late Queen after her death ( 
Image:
PA)
Instead, 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”. But he also said: “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.”

His comments come as Harry was banned from wearing a military uniform after he quit his royal roles and was forced to give up his military affiliations. At King Charles’ Coronation last year, he wore a morning suit.

He also wore a suit for his beloved grandmother the late Queen’s funeral in 2022 – despite calls for him to be allowed to wear military dress. However, one exception was made when Harry wore uniform during a vigil around his grandmother’s coffin in Westminster Hall.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Los Angeles National Cemetery on Remembrance Sunday 2020 ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
However, it was later claimed Harry was “devastated” at having to remove the ‘ER’ symbol from the uniform even though Prince William was allowed to keep his. After the initials were not removed from William, a pal told The Sunday Times: “He [Harry] is heartbroken. To remove his grandmother’s initials feels very intentional.” Reports suggested Harry nearly decided to wear the morning suit anyway to avoid “humiliation”.

Despite not being among those laying wreaths at the Cenotaph on Sunday 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.