Meghan Markle Pays Tribute on Veterans Day with Emotional Clip of Prince Harry in Afghanistan

Meghan Markle marked Veterans Day with a heartfelt tribute that highlighted both her admiration for military service and her continued support for veterans’ communities. The Duchess of Sussex shared a widely circulated video of Prince Harry during his 2013 deployment in Afghanistan, capturing the moment he abruptly ran to his helicopter mid-interview after being called into action — a clip that has since become symbolic of his hands-on military career (BBC News).

Alongside the footage, Meghan posted a message honouring veterans across the globe. “As my husband says, ‘Once served. Always serving,’” she wrote. “Thank you to all who served, sacrificed, and continue to serve. Honouring you on Veterans Day. And every day.” Her tribute echoed the message she and Harry have frequently voiced through their Archewell Foundation, which focuses heavily on mental health and veteran support initiatives (The Guardian).

Prince Harry served in the British Army for ten years, completing two frontline tours in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2015. During this time, he rose to the rank of Captain and became known for insisting on being treated as any other soldier, even requesting deployment to active conflict zones despite security concerns (The Telegraph). His service included time as an Apache helicopter pilot, a role praised by military commanders for its intensity and danger.

Meghan’s post also featured an image from Harry’s recent visit to the Veterans Centre at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, where he met with former servicemen and women and spent time listening to their stories. Reports from the visit highlighted Harry’s continued commitment to supporting veterans’ wellbeing, including access to healthcare and rehabilitation services (People Magazine).

Prince Harry’s Moving Remembrance Essay

Ahead of Remembrance Day, Prince Harry shared a deeply personal essay reflecting on the sacrifices made by those who serve their nation. In the piece, he urged readers to honour “not only the fallen, but the living,” reminding the public of the lifelong impact military service can have on veterans and their families. He encouraged people to “knock on veterans’ doors, join them for a cuppa… or a pint, and remind them their service still matters,” emphasising the importance of community connection and ongoing care for those affected by war (The Independent).

Harry, now residing in California with Meghan and their children, also reiterated his enduring connection to the UK. “Britain is, and always will be, the country I proudly served and fought for,” he wrote — a sentiment widely noted by British media given his step back from royal duties in 2020 (BBC News).

In the essay, he also voiced concern about the fragility of peace in today’s global climate, reflecting broader geopolitical anxieties highlighted during Remembrance Week. He called Remembrance Day “a call to collective responsibility,” urging the public not only to reflect on past conflicts but to protect peace and support those still carrying the psychological and physical weight of war.

Through both Meghan’s tribute and Harry’s written reflections, the couple reinforced their dedication to veteran welfare — a cause that remains central to their public work, long after Harry’s own time in uniform.