Despite his decorated military background, Prince Harry was notably absent from a recent social media tribute made by the Royal Family in honor of Armed Forces Day.
The post, shared across the Royal Family’s official accounts, aimed to recognize and celebrate those who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces.
Royals’ Military Service Spotlighted — But Not Harry’s
The tribute featured a series of images showcasing various members of the Royal Family and their military backgrounds. King Charles’ naval service and experience as a helicopter pilot were acknowledged, as was Prince William’s work in the Royal Air Force as a search and rescue pilot. The post also honored the late Prince Philip and his role in the Royal Navy during World War II.
However, Prince Harry — who served two tours in Afghanistan and has long been associated with supporting veterans — was neither pictured nor mentioned. This omission raised eyebrows, especially given his creation of the Invictus Games, a global sporting event for injured military personnel and veterans.
Since stepping back from royal duties five years ago, Harry’s relationship with the Royal Family has remained strained — and this latest exclusion only added to public speculation.
Public Reaction to Harry’s Absence
Social media users quickly pointed out Harry’s absence from the tribute. One person commented, “Where is Prince Harry?” while another wrote, “As much as Harry isn’t part of it anymore, he still did serve. This day is about armed forces, not the royal family. He still deserves credit.”
Another user added: “I don’t think Harry deserves to be left out. He’s had probably the most active service since Prince Philip.”
Harry’s military career included time as an Apache helicopter pilot, during which he participated in combat missions. In his memoir Spare, he disclosed being involved in six operations that led to the deaths of 25 individuals—an admission that stirred controversy and intense media discussion at the time.
Harry Speaks on Compassion at Global Summit
The omission from the Royal tribute comes shortly after Prince Harry made a surprise appearance at the Nexus Global Summit in New York City. Although not listed as a scheduled speaker, Harry took to the stage on Friday to discuss service, compassion, and community building.
The event brought together over 350 global changemakers—philanthropists, investors, and social entrepreneurs—to tackle pressing global issues and envision a better future.
Harry highlighted the work of the Archewell Foundation, which he co-founded with Meghan Markle in 2020. He spoke about the importance of meaningful human connection and how community-led efforts can address growing disconnection and social isolation, both online and offline.
“Compassion Can Shrink” in Hard Times, Says Harry
“As the world gets harder, as people’s lives become harder, compassion can shrink,” Harry said, emphasizing a grassroots approach as a source of hope. He praised attendees for being deeply engaged in local solutions, adding, “That service part is really what energises me as well.”
He also encouraged participants to make use of their influence for positive impact, stating, “Whatever you put out there, you get back.”
During the summit, Harry met with delegates from Australia focused on mental health and online safety, as well as a Brazilian youth group dedicated to fighting inequality through education and volunteerism.