Prince Harry encouraged wounded Ukrainian soldiers to rely on family, friends and comrades for support during a panel discussion in Kyiv, telling them “there will always be someone — a mother, father, sibling, friend, or comrade — there to pick you up,” People reported.
The Duke of Sussex, the author of Spare, spoke about the importance of opening up when struggling, saying “don’t stay silent. Silence will hold you in the dark,” and urged the servicemen and women to “give [their loved ones] permission” to reciprocate by sharing their own difficulties, according to People.
The comments came two days after Harry met with his father, King Charles III, for a private tea at Clarence House in London, Page Six reported. The meeting was described by Page Six sources as the first time the pair had seen each other in 19 months; the news outlet said Harry arrived with videos of his and Meghan Markle’s two children in an effort to re-establish family ties.
A spokesperson for Harry told Page Six that the duke “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.” Page Six also reported that the pair met at about 5:20 p.m. local time.
The Prince had not seen his father since the king’s cancer diagnosis was revealed in February 2024, Page Six reported. In May, Harry told the BBC that a source of the rift had been disagreement over security arrangements, saying, “Life is precious. I don’t know how much longer my father has. He won’t speak to me because of this security stuff, but it would be nice to reconcile.”
Harry's visit to Kyiv included speaking with servicemen and women recovering from injuries sustained in the conflict. His remarks emphasized seeking support and warning against isolation, themes he has raised in public discussions about mental health and veteran welfare.
The duke’s appearances in the United Kingdom and in Ukraine were framed by his work with charitable causes. He remains the founder of the Archewell Foundation, which Page Six cited in describing his recent return to the U.K. to support longtime causes and connections.
Media reports did not disclose all details of the Clarence House meeting or the full schedule of Harry’s Kyiv visit. Representatives for the royal household did not immediately provide comment when contacted through the channels listed in media reports.