Prince Harry in 2014.Photo: Matt Cardy/Getty
Prince Harryis reflecting on his time serving in the British Army — and how his mother, Princess Diana, inspired his service.
In the third episode of his newNetflixdocuseriesHarry & Meghan, the 38-year-old Duke of Sussex opens up about his 10 years in the military, saying it “gave me the lived experience that other members of my family wouldn’t have had.”
“Twotours in Afghanistan, flying Apache helicopters on a military base, means that you grow up pretty fast. Jeez, I went to war twice,” he continued.
The royal went on to say that he found a “second family” in “the lifelong friends” he made during that poignant time in his life — and also credits his mother,Princess Diana, as inspiration.
“For that point … Yeah, there’s still scars left open from from my mom’s awesomeness, to put it mildly,” Harry said with a laugh.
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Prince Harry and Princess Diana.Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
In the same episode, Harry and wifeMeghan Markleare shownvisiting McGuire Air Force Basein New Jersey in honor ofVeterans Daylast year.
“I’m watching my husband over there — you see how much joy it brings him to be back on a base, and he immediately goes back into military banter,” Meghan, 41, said to those gathered around.
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During a conversation surrounding the military pension period, the prince said, “I signed up for three [years] and then they kept dangling the carrot of different options in front of me,and I ended up serving 10 years.”
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Beforestepping back from his roleas a working member of the royal family in 2020, Harry heldthree honorary military titles: Captain General of the Royal Marines, Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington and Commodore-in-Chief, Small Ships and Diving, Royal Naval Command.
The USS Arizona Memorial on the island of Oahu is a short flight from Harry’s home in Montecito, California, where he lives with Meghan and their children: sonArchie Harrison, 3½, and daughterLilibet Diana, 18 months.
“He kind of approached us,” Dan Conover, who was also touring the USS Arizona with his family on Friday, told PEOPLE shortly after the visit of seeing Harry there.
“I moved out of his way because he’s royalty; I figured I’d let him do his thing. He basically gave me a greeting,” explained Conover, 23. “He wasvery respectful and courteous and nice. I moved out of his way, and he kind of patted me on the back and said, ‘You’re all good mate.’ It was a simple interaction, but he was very nice and courteous and respectful.”
The first three episodes ofHarry & Meghanare now streaming on Netflix.
source: people.com
