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Prince Harry has shared a heartfelt message of support with children and young people who have lost a parent serving in the armed forces, writing an emotional letter ahead of Remembrance Sunday.
The Duke of Sussex, who serves as global ambassador for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, used his annual message to offer reassurance to bereaved military families, emphasising that they do not have to face their grief alone.
Through his involvement with the charity, Harry has continued to champion the needs of children affected by the loss of a military parent, drawing on his own experiences of bereavement and his years of service in the British Army.
In his letter, released ahead of Remembrance weekend, the prince addressed both longstanding members of the organisation and those who had only recently discovered its support network.
He began:
“Dear Scotty’s Community, whether you’re a young person who has been part of Scotty’s Little Soldiers for years, or someone older who is just now discovering this community under the new name Scotty’s, I’m glad you found us.
“Navigating the grief of losing a loved one doesn’t leave you, no matter how old you are. Know that you are not alone, as this is one of the most universal experiences of being human.
“Scotty’s will be with you every step of the way. When I was in the British Army, knowing someone had your back meant everything.”
The Duke’s message highlighted the importance of companionship, understanding and continued emotional support for those coping with the death of a loved one.
Harry’s connection to the military community is deeply rooted in his own decade-long Army career, which ended in 2015.
During his 10 years of service, the prince completed two operational deployments to Afghanistan, undertaking duties as a forward air controller and later serving as an Apache helicopter pilot.
His military background has remained an important part of his charitable work, particularly his commitment to supporting veterans, service personnel and families who have experienced loss.
Prince Harry continued his deeply personal message by reflecting on the importance of having a supportive community that understands the challenges of bereavement without requiring those affected to explain their feelings.
The Duke of Sussex praised Scotty’s for creating an environment where young people and families can find understanding, reassurance and a sense of belonging among others who have experienced similar losses.
He wrote:
“I recognise that same spirit at Scotty’s, where the people around you will understand without you having to explain. They just get it, and that alone brings comfort and relief. No matter where you are in your journey, grief can often catch you by surprise, even years after a loss has occurred.
“You reach a milestone you wish your loved one could see, or find yourself longing for their advice. There is no timetable for that, and there should be no deadline for asking for help. As the nation pauses to honour and remember the service and sacrifice of our military families past and present, I want to pay tribute to your loved ones and thank them for their service.
“Above all, I know just as you do that they are so much more than a uniform or a name read out loud each November. They are a parent, child, sibling, partner, family member or friend who is loved and deeply missed.
“To those gathering in London for Scotty’s Remembrance weekend, I hope being together brings comfort, pride, and even joy. That is, after all, what our loved ones would want. With my very best, Harry.”
Throughout his letter, Harry acknowledged that grief does not follow a predictable path and can return unexpectedly, even many years after someone has died.
He highlighted how significant life events can bring renewed feelings of loss, particularly when people wish a loved one could be present to share their achievements or offer guidance.
As the country prepares to commemorate those who have served and sacrificed their lives, the prince also paid tribute to the individual identities and personal relationships behind every military loss.
His message served as a reminder that those being remembered were not simply members of the armed forces, but deeply loved parents, children, siblings, partners and friends.
Harry concluded by expressing his hope that members of Scotty’s gathering in London for Remembrance weekend would find comfort in one another’s company, while also experiencing moments of pride, happiness and connection as they honoured their loved ones.
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Nikki Scott, the founder of Scotty’s Little Soldiers, has expressed her appreciation for Prince Harry’s longstanding commitment to the charity, explaining how meaningful his annual Remembrance message has become for the military families it supports.
She revealed that the Duke of Sussex’s letter is now an important part of the organisation’s Remembrance traditions, with children and young people eagerly anticipating his words of encouragement each year.
Welcoming his continued involvement, Nikki said:
“It means so much to have The Duke’s continued support. His Remembrance letter has become something our children and young people look forward to receiving each year, and it feels particularly special that this year his message will reach our wider Scotty’s community too.
Nikki also reflected on the deeply personal circumstances that inspired her to establish the organisation, explaining that her own family’s experience of military bereavement motivated her to help other children facing similar challenges.
Over time, the charity has broadened its services to recognise the wider emotional consequences of losing someone connected to the armed forces.
She explained:
“When I founded Scotty’s, it was to support children and young people who, like my own children, had experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces. Children and young people will always be at the heart of what we do, but over the years we have learnt so much about the wider impact of military bereavement and the different ways it can affect people, which is why we have extended our support.
“Remembrance is an important time for our community. Behind every name being remembered is someone who was loved and is deeply missed. I hope this letter reminds everyone in our community that they are not alone, that the person they are remembering matters, and that Scotty’s is here for them.”
Her comments highlighted the charity’s continuing mission to ensure that bereaved military families feel recognised, understood and supported, particularly during emotionally significant occasions such as Remembrance weekend.
Harry’s message was made public ahead of the charity’s young representatives attending two major commemorative events in London: the Festival of Remembrance and the Cenotaph Parade.
The commemorations will also see senior members of the Royal Family come together to honour those who lost their lives in military service.
King Charles is expected to lead the nation’s tribute at the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph.
The previous evening, members of the Royal Family are scheduled to attend the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at London’s Royal Albert Hall, continuing the longstanding tradition of recognising the service and sacrifice of Britain’s armed forces.
