The Duke of Sussex made a surprise call to congratulate veterans taking part in a charity walking exhibition raise money for those who have served in the Armed Forces.
The Grenadier Walk of Oman saw six former soldiers, all with mental or physical wounds walk 300km in stages across the UK, starting at Pen-Y-Fan in Wales and finishing at the Anglo Omani Society in central London on Thursday.
The ex-service personnel on the trek, organised by Walking with the Wounded, were due to cross the Omani desert until their plan was set back by the coronavirus pandemic.
Prince Harry, who is patron of Walking with the Wounded, rang the team from his $14 million Santa Barbara mansion, as they neared the finish line to offer words of encouragement.
The Duke of Sussex, pictured onstage during Global Citizen Live in New York last month, made a surprise call to congratulate veterans taking part in a charity walking exhibition raise money for those who have served in the Armed Forces
The Grenadier Walk of Oman saw six former soldiers, all with mental or physical wounds walk 300km in stages across the UK, starting at Pen-Y-Fan in Wales and finishing at the Anglo Omani Society in central London on Thursday
‘Guys just remember, you have got to hold on to this moment, you have got to hold on to this feeling,’ he said.
‘Because it doesn’t matter where you walk, or what you are doing. When inevitably we all end up feeling down, a little bit dark, in the weeks, months and years to come, you will remember back to this. Lean on this experience to pick yourselves up.’
In September last year, Harry, 37, shared a message of support with soldiers at the official launch of The Walk of Oman, in which he referred to the organisation as ‘family’ and praises the ‘resilience, courage and talent that exists within those who have served’.
After training at Sandhurst, Harry was commissioned as an officer in the Household Cavalry’s Blues and Royals in April 2006.
Harry, who has been involved with Walking with the Wounded several years, referred to it as ‘my Walking With The Wounded family’ (pictured joined military veterans for a 1,000-mile walk of Britain in 2015 (above)
During his ten years in the Army, he undertook two operational tours of Afghanistan and qualified as an Apache helicopter commander.
His second tour of Helmand, in 2012, is believed to be one of the few times in his life that the Prince truly found contentment away from the restrictions and pressures of Royal life.
Known as ‘Captain Wales’ by his comrades, he proudly told one fellow soldier: ‘I’ve got the best of both worlds. I get to do all this. I can fly helicopters. I can shine a spotlight on the work I want to do.’
Harry’s military career ended in June 2015 but he has remained a passionate supporter of the Armed Forces and was handed a number of ceremonial military titles.
His highest profile military title is as Captain General of the Royal Marines, a role he was handed by the Queen in December 2017, succeeding the Duke of Edinburgh.
As the ceremonial head of the elite unit, Harry is entitled to wear the uniform and insignia equivalent to a Field Marshal.
His two-year association compares with the 64-year term of his late grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Earlier this year Harry was stripped of his military titles and patronages when he and former actress Meghan stepped down as a senior members of the Royal Family.
After training at Sandhurst, Harry was commissioned as an officer in the Household Cavalry’s Blues and Royals in April 2006. Pictured: Harry visits West Point Military Academy in New York in June 2010 (left) and with his regiment The Blue and Royals at a Remembrance Sunday parade in Windsor in November 2007 (right)
Meanwhile, Harry has also been judging the WellChild photo competition, Hopes And Dreams: My Life Through A Lens.
Children were encouraged to enter photos illustrating what life is like for families living with serious health needs. Ruby Smallman, 13, from Liverpool, won the competition with her photo Hope In An Oak.
Harry said: ‘The children and families I’ve had the honour of meeting over my years working with WellChild have shown incredible optimism, courage, and resilience.
‘I wasn’t only proud to participate as a judge in this exhibition, I was deeply moved by each and every photograph as they capture a moment and say so much about their personal story.
‘Every person who is part of the WellChild family is a true inspiration. ‘Congratulations to all the entries and a special cheer to the winners.’
The competition celebrates the opening of the WellChild Art Auction 2021, supported by Christie’s, which is live online through global platform Artsy.
The auction will sell works from contemporary artists to raise money for seriously ill children.