Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has said he lost part of his 'purpose and identity' when he left the British Army after a decade of service. He made the remarks while addressing Nato's military committee in Brussels by video link as founder of the Invictus Games.
A decade of service and transition
Harry served in the British Army for ten years, ending his military career in 2015 following two tours of Afghanistan. Despite his difficulties leaving the role, he said he was 'fortunate' and 'had another way to serve' through his royal duties and as founder of the Invictus Games.
The duke, who stepped down as a working royal in 2020, staged the inaugural Invictus Games in 2014 to help wounded, injured and sick former and current service personnel.
Warnings on post-service support
During his address, he warned military leaders about those who leave the forces: "We must think just as seriously about what happens to them after they have served — particularly when they return wounded, injured or sick. I know something about that transition. When I hung up my uniform, I felt as though I had lost not simply a profession, but part of my purpose and identity. I was fortunate. I had another way to serve."
The duke stressed the importance of Nato, saying it shared common ground with Invictus, adding: "At its heart, Nato is an alliance of nations. But those nations are defended by people."
Focus on veterans and the 2027 Games
He continued: "People who volunteer to serve. People who train together, deploy together, fight together and, in many cases, recover together. And families who serve alongside them in ways that are rarely acknowledged. And, ultimately, people who come home."
He warned 'enormous' amounts of resources were spent on preparing people to serve, but attention must be placed on what happens after they leave the military. Harry, who moved back to the UK in August after spending six years in America, is preparing for the 2027 Invictus Games, which will take place in Birmingham over several days.
He said in his opening address: "Invictus is not a sporting event. Sport is one of our tools. Our mission is much bigger. We rebuild purpose. We rebuild confidence. We strengthen families and communities. We connect veterans back into society."
The duke added: "That matters to Nato. Because the strength of an alliance cannot only be measured by the forces it can deploy. It must also be measured by the people and societies those forces return home to."
The King's youngest son was denied the chance to wear military uniform at his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in 2022 because he is a non-working royal. When Harry and Meghan's move to the US became permanent in 2021, the late Queen stripped Harry of his military titles and royal patronages, and the Sussexes declared they would always live 'a life of service'.
