Prince Harry urged wounded Ukrainian soldiers to lean on family, friends and comrades for support during a visit to Kyiv on Friday, saying "there will always be someone — a mother, father, sibling, friend, or comrade — there to pick you up," according to People and reported by Page Six.
Speaking in a panel discussion with servicemen and women recovering from injuries sustained in the conflict, the Duke of Sussex told the group that difficult periods can leave people feeling "lost" but that "however dark those days are, there is light at the end of the tunnel." He encouraged them not to stay silent and to "open up to your friends and family, because in doing so, you give them permission to do the same," the remarks said.
The visit to Kyiv came two days after a reported private reunion in London with his father, King Charles III. Page Six reported that the two met Wednesday afternoon at Clarence House for "a private tea," saying it was their first in-person meeting in about 19 months following the disclosure of the king's cancer diagnosis in February 2024. Page Six reported the meeting took place at about 5:20 p.m. local time.
According to Page Six, Harry arrived at the meeting carrying videos of his and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex's, two young children, an apparent effort to re-establish family ties. A spokesperson for the duke told Page Six that he "obviously loved being back in the UK, catching up with old friends, colleagues, and just generally being able to support the incredible work of the causes that mean so much to him."
The short visit to London followed a public exchange of comments earlier in the year about the state of relations between the duke and the monarch. In May, Harry told the BBC that "life is precious" and that he did not know how much longer his father had, adding that he hoped for reconciliation but citing disagreements over security arrangements as a barrier to fuller contact.
Harry, who remains involved with the Archewell Foundation and other charitable causes, has in recent years combined public advocacy with private diplomacy among family members. The meetings and his remarks in Kyiv underscore a dual focus on personal reconciliation and public engagement with causes including veteran support and mental health.
Details of private family meetings and the duke's remarks in Kyiv were reported by Page Six and People. The duke's comments to wounded soldiers came as Ukraine continues to care for service members recovering from injuries related to the conflict, and as members of the royal family and the duke navigate a complex period of personal and public responsibilities.