Prince Harry has revealed the one thing that “saved” him after his military service. The Duke of Sussex served in the Armed Forces for 10 years, between 2005 and 2015. He was deployed on active duty to Afghanistan twice between 2007 and 2013 – first ten weeks in Helmand Province, and later for twenty weeks with the Army Air Corps. Upon returning to civilian life, he founded the Invictus Games in 2014, after being inspired by the Warrior Games for injured US soldiers, sailors and airmen.
But Harry’s event is international, with the multi-sport event open to wounded, injured and sick Armed Forces personnel. Talking during a visit to Ukraine, King Charles III’s youngest son said his work for Invictus has given him a sense of purpose and comeraderie after his military career. “I would say that I have been fortunate,” he said. “The one thing that people miss when they hang up their uniform is purpose.”
“Losing a sense of community and being part of a team, and of course the camaraderie and adrenaline,” Harry added during an interview with the Guardian.
“But at the heart of it is your job, your role is serving a purpose larger than yourself.”
During his time in the UK this week, the Duke attended an Invictus Games Foundation meeting in London.
He said: “This is what Invictus does best: it catalyses change.
“It shows what is possible when courage is met with opportunity, and when recovery is supported by respect and community.”
Harry added: “That is why tonight is so important.
“Because as proud as I am of our first decade, I know the next decade matters even more.”
It comes after the Prince visited his father for the first time in 19 months on Thursday.
He told reporters that the King was “great”.
Harry told the BBC in May: “I would love a reconciliation with my family.”
He also confessed that he did not know “how much longer” Charles, 76, had left to live.
The Duke said: “There have been so many disagreements between myself and some of my family.
“Of course, they will never forgive me for lots of things but… there’s no point in continuing to fight anymore.”
He added: “Life is precious. I don’t know how much longer my father has, he won’t speak to me because of this security stuff.
“It would be nice to reconcile.