Prince Harry’s Remembrance Day Essay Expresses Strong Regret at Leaving Britain
In a moving essay, the Duke of Sussex reaffirms his service and identity as British despite now living in the United States ahead of Nov 11 commemoration
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has published a heartfelt essay ahead of Remembrance Day, titled “The Bond, the Banter, the Bravery: What It Means to Be British.” In it he states: “Though currently I may live in the United States, Britain is, and always will be, the country I proudly served and fought for.”
In the 647-word piece released on 5 November 2025, Harry speaks of his military service with pride and his deep affection for the camaraderie he experienced in the British Army.
He describes the “banter of the mess, the clubhouse, the pub, the stands” as emblematic of what makes Britain.
He writes: “I make no apology for it.
I love it.”
Reflecting on the lasting impact of service, Harry emphasises the duty owed to veterans and their families: “Our duty to them does not end when their service does … they safeguarded our freedom.
We must safeguard their future.” He calls for support, respect and opportunity rather than mere sympathy for those who carried the weight of war in body and mind.
The Duke draws parallels between British service personnel and those he met during a visit to Ukraine’s Superhumans rehabilitation centre: “In every face … I saw resilience and a fierce determination not to be defined by what had been taken from them.
They reminded me that bravery is not the absence of fear, but the triumph of purpose over it.”
While Harry currently resides in California with his wife and children after stepping back from his senior royal role, the essay underscores his enduring allegiance to Britain and its armed forces.
He acknowledges the pull of nostalgia and connection, writing that the spirit he loves about Britain continues in those who serve and the families who walk beside them.
He closes with a call to action for his readers: “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.”
By publishing this essay on the eve of the annual commemoration, Harry demonstrates a strong emotional alignment with Britain, its military heritage, and his own past sacrifice — signalling deep regret at distance from his homeland and reaffirming where his identity remains rooted.
In the 647-word piece released on 5 November 2025, Harry speaks of his military service with pride and his deep affection for the camaraderie he experienced in the British Army.
He describes the “banter of the mess, the clubhouse, the pub, the stands” as emblematic of what makes Britain.
He writes: “I make no apology for it.
I love it.”
Reflecting on the lasting impact of service, Harry emphasises the duty owed to veterans and their families: “Our duty to them does not end when their service does … they safeguarded our freedom.
We must safeguard their future.” He calls for support, respect and opportunity rather than mere sympathy for those who carried the weight of war in body and mind.
The Duke draws parallels between British service personnel and those he met during a visit to Ukraine’s Superhumans rehabilitation centre: “In every face … I saw resilience and a fierce determination not to be defined by what had been taken from them.
They reminded me that bravery is not the absence of fear, but the triumph of purpose over it.”
While Harry currently resides in California with his wife and children after stepping back from his senior royal role, the essay underscores his enduring allegiance to Britain and its armed forces.
He acknowledges the pull of nostalgia and connection, writing that the spirit he loves about Britain continues in those who serve and the families who walk beside them.
He closes with a call to action for his readers: “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.”
By publishing this essay on the eve of the annual commemoration, Harry demonstrates a strong emotional alignment with Britain, its military heritage, and his own past sacrifice — signalling deep regret at distance from his homeland and reaffirming where his identity remains rooted.
