Prince Harry made a surprise appearance at the United for Freedom gala at the Imperial War Museum in London this evening. The 42-year-old, dressed in a smart black suit, smiled and waved to people outside the venue as he entered the gala.
Meghan Markle, 45, did not attend the event. She has yet to make her first public appearance since the couple returned to the UK at the end of August.
Speech on Ukraine and resilience
During the gala, Harry gave a speech retracing the history linking Britain and Ukraine before sharing his own experiences from recent visits to the nation. He told attendees: "I have seen something in Ukraine that makes it impossible for me to look away. I have met people who have lost limbs, lost homes and lost loved ones — and yet somehow find the strength to rebuild. I have spent time with members of the Ukrainian Invictus community: men and women who served their country and suffered life-changing injuries, but who continue to compete, to lead, to laugh and to look forward."
He continued: "What has stayed with me most is that resilience in Ukraine does not belong to any one group. It belongs to the whole country. To those defending the front line. To those treating the wounded. To those keeping businesses, schools and communities going."
Harry added: "To those developing technology that is changing the nature of modern warfare. And to those rebuilding today what was destroyed yesterday, knowing it could be struck again tomorrow. That is national resilience in its truest form."
Call for resolve
The royal went on: "But their resilience should never become an excuse for the rest of us to tolerate their suffering. Ukrainians should not have to prove, year after year, just how much they can endure. Their courage deserves more than our admiration. It deserves our resolve."
The speech comes days after Harry spoke in New York City about the dangers of AI. He described the risks AI poses to children and parents, insisting governments must not delay while the technology becomes more autonomous.
He also recently appeared at the WellChild awards in London and spoke at Travlyst last month, meeting partners and leaders including EU Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas.
