Prince Harry aka Captain Wales, underwent a secret trip to Afghanistan on the weekend to pay his respects to his fellow troops in time for Remembrance Day.
Prince Harry aka Captain Wales, underwent a secret trip to Afghanistan on the weekend to pay his respects to his fellow troops in time for Remembrance Day.
Prince Harry, 30, who served in Afghanistan from 2007 to 2008 and 2012 to 2013 and holds the rank of captain in the British Army, paid a surprise visit to Kandahar airfield and lead a service on behalf of the Queen.
The Prince also laid a poppy wreath to commemorate all his comrades who lost their lives fighting for their country. The wreath featured a bible passage hand written by Harry which read: “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. They will never be forgotten. Harry.”
For security reasons, the visit remained a secret until the Prince had left the country. There are only a few hundred British troops left remaining in Afghanistan and Harry’s visit came just weeks after their official combat operations officially ceased.
Prince Harry lined up alongside his fellow troops as the Royal Artillery Band played the last post. He also gave a reading from the bible and later chatted and joked with the soldiers, as well as climbing up and trying out the cockpit of an RAF Tornado – a familiar role for the Prince who served as an Apache pilot.
A teary-eyed Harry also lead the tributes to fallen soldiers at a commemoration service in London last week outside Westminster Abbey.
This year has proved to be a particularly poignant one in marking commemorations to the troops as it marks the centenary since the start of WWI. Much of the royal family have been heavily involved in remembrance activities but none more so than Harry.
The Prince also served as the patron and spokesperson for the Invictus Games, a four day event which was held in London this year, where wounded military veterans compete in Paralympic-style events.
To mark the centenary, an enormous poppy field has been built in the dry moat of the Tower of London. Prince William, Duchess Catherine and Prince Harry all visited in August and it has continued to grow since then with a total 888,246 ceramic poppies planted, forming what looks like a dramatic river of blood. Each poppy represented a fallen British or Colonial serviceman.
Prince Harry salutes the troops during a surprise secret visit to Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan to mark Remembrance Sunday.
The Prince laid a wreath that featured a bible passage hand written by Harry which read: “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. They will never be forgotten. Harry.”
Prince Harry met with troops and climbed aboard an RAF Tornado – a familiar role for the Prince who served as an Apache pilot during his active service in Afghanistan.
This year has proved to be particularly poignant in marking commemorations to the troops as it marks the centenary since the start of WWI. Much of the royal family have been heavily involved in remembrance activities but none more so than Harry, for whom the memories of active service are still raw.
Prince Harry lines up for a photo with his comrades at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.
A teary-eyed Prince Harry [also lead tributes ahead of Remembrance Day at Westminster Abbey in London last week](http://www.womansday.com.au/celebrity/photo-galleries/2014/11/a-teary-eyed-prince-harry-leads-tributes-ahead-of-remembrance-day/).
A teary-eyed Prince Harry also lead tributes ahead of Remembrance Day at Westminster Abbey in London last week.
Prince Harry shakes hands with veterans and servicemen during a visit to the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey.
Prince Harry in front of a Cross of Remembrance, saluting at the service at Westminster Abbey.
Prince Harry also [boarded a red London bus for London Poppy Day](http://www.womansday.com.au/celebrity/photo-galleries/2014/10/prince-harry-rides-red-london-bus-for-poppy-day/).
Prince Harry also boarded a red London bus for London Poppy Day.
A red London bus stationed itself outside of Buckingham Palace where Prince Harry jumped on board before it toured the the city to raise funds for war veterans.
Prince William, Duchess Catherine and Prince Harry all attended the Tower of London on the date of the 100 year anniversary of the start of WWI back in August.
The royals in the dry moat of the Tower of London where an enormous field of ceramic poppies was planted to commemorate 100 years since the start of WWI.
There were over 888,246 ceramic poppies planted in the castle’s moat – each representing a fallen British or Colonial serviceman
Prince Harry has been particularly involved in championing the Invictus Games – the royals are seen here attending the opening ceremony last month.
As the patron of the games, Prince Harry opened the four day event which was held in London this year, where wounded military veterans compete in Paralympic-style events.
Wounded ex-serviceman at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games.
Prince Charles and Camilla applaud Prince Harry’s triumphant efforts in launching the Invictus Games for ex-servicemen.
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