Prince Harry pens emotional letter military children who lost their parents to war: 'I am so proud'

The military plays an important role in serving with courage and dedication, often putting the needs of others before their own. As Remembrance Day approaches, there has been an outpour of heartfelt tributes and messages to honour the fallen soldiers and the sacrifices they made. Among the messages is one from the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, who penned a touching note on November 6, honoring not only the fallen soldiers, but also the children who lost their parents in service.

Harry, who has formerly served as a soldier, completed two operational deployments in Afghanistan and now serves as a global ambassador for the Norfolk-based organisation, Scotty's Little Soldiers, that supports young people left bereaved by the loss of a parent in the armed forces. Penning an emotional note for the youngsters, the Duke of Sussex acknowledged the complex feelings evoked during the Remembrance period. His letter, as per GB News, read, "When you march, you're showing the world what it means to remember with love and pride." Reflecting on his time in the military, Harry expressed his pride in the children after observing how they honor their fallen parents. "I often think back to my own time in the military; the friendships, the laughs, and the sense that no matter what, someone's got your back."

Emphasizing the importance of the national Remembrance Day, Harry detailed the value of reuniting in gratitude. "It's a chance for the whole country to pause and come together to say thank you to those who served and to the families who love them, because when one person serves, the whole family serves." Harry reassured the children that they are not alone in this grief. "Please know you're not alone in that. You've got each other, and a whole community of friends and family who understand what this time means and who are standing right beside you, myself included," he wrote. Scotty's Little Soldiers was established in 2010 by Nikki Scott after her husband died in Afghanistan while serving with the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment.

Following Harry's poignant message, Nikki expressed her gratitude towards the Duke of Sussex for keeping them in his prayers. A large group from the charity, including 100 relatives representing 38 military families, will take part in the Remembrance Sunday commemorations at the Cenotaph. A report by Scotty's Little Soldiers revealed that bereaved military children often report concentration problems, exam stress, and difficulties with upsetting curriculum content. Amongst those accessing 1:1 support, the majority of children (59%) reported having problems with anger, with boys being even more likely to report the issue than girls (although over half of the girls in the programme reported struggling with anger). The report underscores the importance of offering support to children of soldiers grieving the loss of their parent.

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