Duke of Sussex speaks German in heartfelt tribute following royal family reunion
Just hours after the Royal Family gathered on the Buckingham Palace balcony for King Charles’ birthday parade, the Duke of Sussex released a new video message marking Germany’s first-ever Veterans Day.
In the poignant clip, shared on June 15, Harry addressed the German public with a warm “Guten Tag Deutschland!” and described it as a “profound privilege” to speak on such a “sacred day.”
Dressed in a suit and proudly wearing four of his ceremonial medals — including one from his service in Afghanistan — Harry reflected on his “last visit” to the country for the 2023 Invictus Games. “The warmth, the enthusiasm, and the unwavering support shown by the German people… was truly humbling,” he said.
Without directly referencing his absence from Trooping the Colour, the Duke used the occasion to focus on veterans and values of service. “Veterans are more than warriors — they are leaders,” he said. “Loyalty must never lie with power alone, but with the people. With truth.”
Though stripped of the right to wear his military uniform at royal ceremonies, Harry continues to uphold the causes close to his heart. “We serve not to glorify war, but to protect peace… to uphold a collective oath – to country, to people,” he added.
He closed his message with a call for unity: “Vielen dank und einen schönen Tag.”
His message aired less than 24 hours after his estranged family took part in Trooping the Colour — an event Harry has not attended since 2022. Neither he nor Meghan Markle appeared at this year’s ceremony.
