Prince Harry made a surprise stop on Veterans Day.
The 41-year-old Duke of Sussex visited Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii last Friday afternoon to tour the USS Arizona Memorial, PEOPLE has confirmed. A dark spot in American history books, the battleship was bombed by Japanese forces in December 1941. Over 1,100 crew members were killed in the attack, and America plunged into World War II.
Harry personally visited the memorial. His USS Arizona Memorial on Oahu is just a short flight from his home in Montecito, California, where he lives with his wife Meghan Markle and his two children, son Archie (3). 1 year old) and her daughter Lilibet (1 year old).
“He approached us,” Dan Conover, who was touring the USS Arizona with his family on Friday, told PEOPLE.
“He’s royalty, so I got him out of my way. I figured let him do his thing. He basically greeted me,” said Conover, 23. “He was very respectful, polite, and kind. I moved out of his way. He patted me on the back and said, ‘You’re all in good company.’ It was a simple exchange, but he was very kind, polite and respectful. ”
Debbie Bishop Conover
A witness added, “There was an expert who was basically explaining things to Prince Harry.”
The outing was probably an emotional one for Prince Harry, who has served in the British Army for 10 years and has completed two visits to Afghanistan. Before stepping down from his senior royal role, he held his three military honorary titles. It is Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Marine Corps, Honorary Air Commander of RAF Honington, and Brigadier General of Small Ships and Diving of the Navy Commander.
Debbie Bishop Conover
November 11th is Veterans Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in the United Kingdom. To mark this solemn holiday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have released new photos and a brief statement on her Archewell Foundation website. In black-and-white snaps taken by wedding photographer Chris Allerton, the couple faced military personnel, including one holding an American flag.
“On this Veterans Day and Memorial Day, we honor servicemen around the world,” Harry and Meghan, 41, wrote. It embodies duty and service at the highest cost.”
Debbie Bishop Conover
“We are proud to work with so many organizations that support veterans and military families, including Invictus Games Foundation, The Mission Continues, Team Rubicon, Scotty’s Little Soldiers, and The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation. Thank you for your service.” The statement was wrapped.
On Veterans Day last year, the couple made a surprise visit to a military base in New Jersey. We discussed topics such as the importance of
Lee Morgan
The stop in New Jersey came the day after attending the 2021 Salute to Freedom Gala at the Intrepid Museum in New York City. In a prepared remark at the gala, Prince Harry spoke about what members of the quarantine service often feel upon his return, stressing the importance of supporting veterans.
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“My experience in the military made me who I am today. I will always be grateful to those who served with me anywhere in the world,” Harry said. We see and experience things we wish we would never have seen, and these stay with us, sometimes like a slideshow of images.”
Harry described the Invictus Games as “honoring the legacy of those who have contributed so much” and “to show that the men and women who have suffered injuries in service and their families are the strongest people in the world.” said to have created The world…and they deserve a platform to be seen, a platform to be recognized, a platform to be truly celebrated.”
The Prince continued to welcome the 2021 Intrepid Valor Award winners, saying, “They are part of an eternal bond. You are part of a team of teams and we will always support you. You are not alone.”
