Prince Harry has published a personal essay ahead of Remembrance Day in which he reflects on his two frontline tours in Afghanistan and expresses pride in serving his country. He warns it is easy for veterans to be forgotten once the uniform comes off and urges the public to remember not only the fallen but the living, and to knock on veterans’ doors for a cuppa or a pint to hear their stories.

Written in a piece titled The Bond, The Banter, The Bravery: What it means to be British – By Prince Harry, the duke notes that Britain is the country he proudly served even while living in the United States. He praises the banter of the mess, the clubhouse, the pub and the stands that define what it means to be British.

Harry recalls meeting Ukrainians during a visit to the war-torn country in September and says there is a similar stoic spirit of self-deprecation and humour in both nations. He is due to begin a two-day visit to Toronto to meet Canadian veterans and military charities as part of Remembrancetide. He also notes the Invictus Games, which he set up in 2014, and his earlier wish to place a poppy wreath at the Cenotaph in 2020, which was not granted.