Harry’s Surprise Call to UK Veterans Raises Eyebrows

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, recently made a surprise call to veterans taking part in a charity walking exhibition to raise money for those who have served in the armed forces.

The Grenadier Walk of Oman saw six former soldiers, all with mental or physical wounds, walk 300km in stages across the UK, starting at Benifan in Wales and finishing at the Anglo-Omani Society in central London on Thursday.

The ex-service personnel on the trek, organised by Walking with the Wounded, were due to cross the Omani desert until their plan was set back by the coronavirus pandemic.

Prince Harry, who is patron of Walking with the Wounded, rang the team from his $14 million Santa Barbara mansion, as they neared the finish line to offer words of encouragement.

”Guys just remember, you have got to hold on to this moment, you have got to hold on to this feeling,” he said.

”Because it doesn't matter where you walk, or what you are doing.

When inevitably we all end up feeling down, a little bit dark, in the weeks, months and years to come, you will remember back to this.

Lean on this experience to pick yourselves up.”

However, the prince's call received some negative reactions from the public.

One Royal fan stated, ”Meghan and Harry always make surprise calls or appearances for PR.”

One user replied, ”Another day, another PR moment for hapless Harry.

Like our American troops really care what he says.

The soldier who wasn't.

Many made sure he was protected.

Soldier who felt Disney voice over work for his wife was more important than honouring British soldiers.

Calls them sitting in the comfort of his mega mansion feet on the table.

Complete and utter hypocritical idiot.”

One user added, ”The last thing these amazing men need is patronising words from Harry.”

It is worth noting that Harry's positions as Captain General of the Royal Marines, Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Huntington, and Commodore-in-Chief, small ships and diving were taken away when he left the Royal Family.

In September last year, Harry, 37, shared a message of support with soldiers at the official launch of the Walk of Oman, in which he referred to the organisation as ”family” and praised the resilience, courage, and talent that exist within those who have served.

After training at Sandhurst, Harry was commissioned as an officer in the Household Cavalries Blues and Royals in April 2006.

During his ten years in the Army, he undertook two operational tours of Afghanistan and qualified as an Apache helicopter commander.

His second tour of Helmand, in 2012, is believed to be one of the few times in his life that the Prince truly found contentment away from the restrictions and pressures of Royal life.

Known as Captain Wales by his comrades, he proudly told one fellow soldier, ”I've got the best of both worlds.

I get to do all this.

I can fly helicopters.

I can shine a spotlight on the work I want to do.”

Harry's military career ended in June 2015, but he has remained a passionate supporter of the armed forces and was handed a number of ceremonial military titles.

His highest profile military title is as Captain General of the Royal Marines, a role he was handed by the Queen in December 2017, succeeding the Duke of Edinburgh.

As the ceremonial head of the elite unit, Harry is entitled to wear the uniform and insignia equivalent to a field marshal.

His two-year association compares with the 64-year term of his late grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Earlier this year, Harry was stripped of his military titles and patronages when he and former actress Meghan stepped down as senior members of the Royal Family.

This decision caused a stir among the public, and some have accused the couple of using their charitable work as a way to maintain relevance and publicity.

Despite this backlash, Harry has continued to champion causes close to his heart.

He has been judging the well-child photo competition, Hopes and Dreams, My Life Through a Lens.

Children were encouraged to enter photos illustrating what life is like for families living with serious health needs.