Prince Harry has paid tribute to his late grandfather Prince Philip in a secret letter left at the Burma Star Memorial on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, just hours after King Charles and Queen Camilla led the national commemorations at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
The letter, which bore the Duke of Sussex's royal emblem, was addressed to 'the Forgotten Army' – the men and women who fought in the Far East campaign. In it, Harry wrote: 'You faced an enemy determined to the last, fought in unforgiving terrain, and endured months - even years - far from home, in conditions most could scarcely imagine.' He added that their sacrifice meant 'generations since, myself included, have been able to live in freedom.'
Prince Philip served in the Pacific campaign as second-in-command on HMS Whelp and was present in Tokyo Bay when Japan formally surrendered. Harry noted in his letter that the anniversary carried 'an added layer of meaning' because of his grandfather's service, saying: 'He spoke with quiet humility about those years, but I know how deeply he respected all who stood beside him in that theatre of war.'
According to reports, Harry insisted the wreath and letter be placed only after the King and Queen had left the memorial, to avoid overshadowing the official event. The gesture has been seen as a sign of his desire to mend relations with the Royal Family, following recent meetings between aides for Harry and Charles described as a 'first step' towards rapprochement.
The letter was not signed by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and was first revealed by GB News. It concluded: 'Your story is part of our shared heritage, and it must never be forgotten. With the deepest respect, thank you. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.'
