Despite being thousands of miles away from the National Service of Remembrance held at the Cenotaph in London on Sunday, Prince Harry still managed to deliver a heartwarming gesture.
Prince Harry, 40, and his wife, Meghan Markle, 43, were not present for the annual Festival of Remembrance or joined the rest of the Royal Family for Remembrance Sunday and are believed to have spent the weekend in California, more than 5,000 miles away from the Cenotaph.
However, the Duke still let his presence be felt on such a poignant day by surprising bereaved children with a sweet surprise.
Prince Harry sent bags of sweets to children’s charity Scotty’s Little Soldier, of which he has been a global ambassador since it was established in 2010 by Army widow Nikki Scott.
Scotty’s is dedicated to supporting children and young people, 0 to 25 years, who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.
Nikki set up the charity after witnessing the impact the death in Afghanistan in 2009 of her husband Corporal Lee Scott had on their two young children.
The Army widow said the Duke is “very much in contact with them”. Speaking to Hello! magazine, she added: “He sent the children sweets today as well.
“They all have sweets in their pockets from Prince Harry.”
Earlier this week, Prince Harry wrote a letter to the children who belong to Scotty’s Little Soldiers, explaining that he “understands the weight” of losing a parent at a young age.
“This day is a time not only to honour the extraordinary sacrifices made by our service members but also to recognise the impact these sacrifices have on families, especially ones like yours,” he said.
Richard Fitzwilliams believes Prince Harry will “undoubtedly be regretful” not being able to publicly mark the country’s war dead in the UK with his family.
Fitzwilliams spoke to Express.co.uk about Harry’s absence, as the Royal Family displayed unity this weekend.
He said: “For Harry, there will undoubtedly be mixed feelings. He is still part of the British military family and its major act of homage to the fallen in Whitehall, where his father, the King, leads the nation’s homage to the fallen. He will be absent in person but undoubtedly present in spirit.”
Fitzwilliams added: “This year’s letter was especially personal as he referenced his mother’s death, which so traumatised him.”
