Prince Harry has discussed becoming a parent and the important work veterans are doing in local communities during the coronavirus pandemic.
On Sunday, the Duke of Sussex appeared on the military Declassified podcast to talk about his time in the Armed Forces and the power of the human spirit during the health crisis.
During the discussion, the 35-year-old spoke about the work of veterans in society, stating: 'I've said in the past, before I became a parent myself, but for those mums and dads out there who sometimes struggle to see who the appropriate role models are for their kids I always say that the military community especially the WIS [wounded, injured and sick] community are, to me some of the best role models out there.
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'I think in today's culture we need more role models that are willing to put others ahead of themselves. I think that being part of a unit, being part of a team, [and] for me wearing a uniform that was the same as everybody else’s, it kind of makes you feel totally equal but at the same time makes you want do everything you can for the person on your left and your right.'
According to the Royal Family website, the prince served in the British Army for ten years, rising to the position of Captain and undertaking two tours of Afghanistan. He left the Armed Forces in June 2015, describing his departure at the time as a ‘really tough decision’.
Opening up about his army career, the royal continued, adding: ‘The life experiences that you get in such a short space of time not only grow you up, but they make, and turn you into what I think is an exceptional human being... you represent something, you represent a community, you represent a certain set of values, and I believe that those values will be with you for the rest of your life and you want to do everything you can to give back.’
Prince Harry is currently living in Los Angeles, California with his wife Meghan Markle and their 11-month-old son Archie. The couple were recently spotted delivering meals to those in need in their local community, but have also regularly shared their well wishes for people in the UK during the pandemic.
'I want to say a huge thank you, as we all do, to the NHS workers and everybody that's volunteering,' Prince Harry said in the podcast.
'Because up and down the UK, there are literally hundreds of thousands of people volunteering... It's such a wonderfully British thing that we all come to help when we need it.'
Opening up about Captain Tom Moore, a veteran who has raised more than £25m by walking 100 lengths of his garden for NHS Charities Together, the Duke said: ‘I think what he's done is utterly amazing, but it’s not just what he's done it’s the reaction that people have had as well, I think is just wonderfully British.
'I'm honoured to be a veteran, and honoured to be part of this community. I'm just so incredibly proud to see what these individuals up and down the country and across the world are doing on day-to-day basis. What has happened, especially in the UK shows the very best of human spirit.'
The podcast highlights the work of Team Rubicon UK – an organisation working with Charity and Community Sector Emergency Partnership, British Army and UK Government to help coordinate the volunteer response to the virus.
You can volunteer or donate to Team Rubicon here.
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