Prince Harry reflects on life in the UK and the 'country I proudly served and fought for'

The Duke of Sussex has written about what he misses most about the UK, in a tribute to veterans ahead of Remembrance Day.

Prince Harry is due to attend multiple events in Canada for events in Toronto connected with the armed forces ahead, later today.

At the same time, his estranged brother Prince William will be hosting his landmark environmental prize in Brazil.

Prince Harry's 647-word essay, titled The Bond, the Banter, the Bravery: What it Means to be British, was released hours before his appearances in Toronto where he is due to meet Canadian veterans, members of the armed forces and military charities.

According to reports, the essay was intentionally released on Wednesday in the US (early Thursday morning in Australia) so not to overshadow Prince William's speech to world leaders at the Cop30 summit in Brazil.

However, the essay was made public just hours before Prince William was due to host his landmark Earthshot Prize awards ceremony in Rio de Janeiro.

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A spokesperson for the duke previously said Buckingham Palace had been "consulted" and made aware of Prince Harry's plans in Canada in advance "as a matter of courtesy".

His solo visit to Canada was revealed earlier this week as Prince William arrived in Rio for his first official tour to the South American country, coinciding with his Earthshot Prize and the Cop30 event.

Later this week, the King and Queen will lead commemorations for Remembrance in London, with appearances at the annual Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening, as well as at The Cenotaph service on Sunday.

Prince Harry on 'what makes us British'

In his essay the duke reminisced about life in the UK, five years after he and wife Meghan left their places as senior working royals to live in California.

He wrote: "Though currently, I may live in the United States, Britain is, and always will be, the country I proudly served and fought for.

"The banter of the mess, the clubhouse, the pub, the stands – ridiculous as it sounds, these are the things that make us British. I make no apology for it. I love it."

Harry, who served two tours of duty in Afghanistan and spent 10 years in the army, recalled a visit he made to Ukraine earlier this year where he met soldiers and civilians.

He described how their "stoic spirit of self-deprecation and humour" reminded him of "us Brits", praising their "resilience" and "fierce determination".

Harry had laid a wreath at the unofficial memorial for the country's war dead at the Maidan Square in Kyiv, describing the memorial as "one of the saddest things I have ever seen".

Harry reflected on the "privilege of serving alongside men and women from all four corners of the UK" and witnessing their "courage and compassion in the harshest conditions imaginable".

He said it was important for the world to mark Remembrance events as those who served often felt forgotten "once the uniform comes off".

He wrote: "Our duty to them does not end when their service does. The protection they offered us must be returned through opportunity and respect for the rest of their lives.

"That's not charity; it's reciprocity. They safeguarded our freedom. We must safeguard their future. That way we all benefit."

He ended the essay with: "Remembrance isn't confined to one weekend in November. It's a lifelong commitment to empathy, gratitude, and action; to be kinder, more united, and braver in protecting what those before us fought to preserve.

"So, as we bow our heads this weekend, let us remember not only the fallen, but the living – those who still carry the weight of war in body and mind, and the families who bear its memory in their hearts.

"If you live near them, knock on their door. If you see them around, shake their hand. And if you feel so inclined, join them for a cuppa … or a pint, to hear their story and remind them their service still matters."

Why Prince Harry is in Toronto

The duke is in Canada to attend events marking Remembrancetide, which includes the period leading up to Armistice day and Remembrance Sunday.

On Wednesday Prince Harry will attend a private fundraising dinner on behalf of the Halo Trust, the landmine-clearing charity supported by the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

The following day Harry will visit one of the largest veteran care facilities in Canada.

Later that evening, he'll attend the 17th annual True Patriot Love national tribute dinner.

The duke was once a firm fixture at Remembrance events, including Remembrance Sunday – the most solemn day on the British royal calendar. But he and Meghan's last appearance at the commemorations in the UK was in 2019.

When he and Meghan left their places as senior working royals, one of the consequences was the removal of his military patronages and titles.

In 2020, months later his official departure from the UK, Prince Harry was refused his wish to have a poppy wreath placed at the Cenotaph in London on Remembrance Sunday, on his behalf.

Instead, he and Meghan made a private visit to the Los Angeles National Cemetery to lay a wreath.

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