Prince Harry has sent a gift to a World War 2 veteran this week ahead of his 100th birthday this weekend. The Duke of Sussex, 40, has honoured Private Joseph Hammond, a World War 2 veteran from Ghana, and given him an Invictus Medal Coin as a birthday gift.
While the prince did not deliver the gift in person, ambassadors from the Invictus Games – Prince Harry’s foundation to help ex – servicemen and women – delivered the medal to Hammond in Ghana on Harry’s behalf. The 99-year-old, who will turn 100 tomorrow, took to social media to thank the prince. He wrote: “It was a great honour to welcome the @WeAreInvictus team to Ghana, just ahead of my birthday this Saturday!”
He continued: “I was honoured to receive the Invictus Medal Coin from #PrinceHarry. Thank you, #PrinceHarry and #Meghan, for the honour and the medal!”
As reported by People, Hammond, who served as a mechanic in Myanmar in WW2, first met Prince Harry in 2019 at an event to honor veterans from the British Commonwealth.
In 2020, Hammond received a letter from Harry after he embarked on a 14-mile walk to raise money for frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The duke wrote to the veteran: “Even at ’95 years young,’ I imagine it was not an easy task.”
Harry’s letter continued: “However, given the service and selflessness you have demonstrated throughout your life, it does not surprise me that you would take on a challenge such as this – and that you wanted to walk even more miles. As you said yourself, it is amazing!
“It was an honour and a pleasure to meet you at the Field of Remembrance in London last year.”
News of the prince’s gift to Hammond ahead of his 100th birthday comes after the Royal Family end a busy week of VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations in the UK.
The King and Queen, along with other senior royals, have held a number of events to honour veterans, including a thanksgiving service and a special live concert.