Before heading to Nigeria, the Duke of Sussex made a special visit to a play day organized by Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity providing support to the children of military families who have lost a parent.
Harry pleasantly surprised a group of youngsters aged between eight and 22, actively participating in various games such as Edible Races, Flipper Challenge, and Bucket Head.
As someone with firsthand military experience, the royal also engaged in conversations with parents and members of Scotty’s Council during the event.
The father-of-two serves as a global ambassador for the charity, and of the event said: “It was an honour to meet so many of the wonderful families Scotty’s Little Soldiers supports.
“I have long believed in the mission of this charity, and I truly believe the work they do to foster community and create space for young people to connect, grieve, but also have fun together is life-changing. I am a huge supporter of their work, and very proud to be their first Global Ambassador.”
One of the members of Scotty’s Council is 16-year-old Georgia Paterson, who lost her father to suicide in 2016, when she was eight. The teenager was full of praise for the Duke, as she shared: “Prince Harry was the best person to share that experience with because he’s been through it and understands better than anyone.
“It was really moving to see how vulnerable he was with us, which encouraged us to open up as well. It felt really connecting because when your parent served, they served for the country, and one of the most important things for the country is the Royal Family. Speaking with someone who is part of that made me feel more connected to my Dad. It was amazing to be connected to him in that moment.”
19-year-old Joshua Kirkham, whose father died in a road-traffic collision when Joshua was six, added: “The standout moment in our conversation with Prince Harry was around coping mechanisms for bereavement. We discussed being proud of the family member we’ve lost, celebrating their life, and understanding that it’s okay to be sad, to grieve, and to seek support in whatever way feels right.”
Scotty’s Little Soldiers marked Harry’s final engagement during his brief visit to the UK, where he was accompanied by his uncle, Charles Spencer, at a service commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games.
Soon, Harry will embark on a journey to Nigeria to reunite with his wife, Meghan Markle. The couple received an invitation from the Chief of Defence Staff, the highest-ranking military official in Nigeria, whom Harry previously met at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf last September.
This trip follows Meghan’s discovery through a genealogy test, revealing her Nigerian heritage with 43% ancestry.
