Prince Harry has marked Remembrance Sunday by writing a moving letter to military children who have lost a parent by reflecting on his own "pain and grief".
The prince, who has not attended the annual commemorations at the Cenotaph in London since he and wife Meghan Markle stepped down as working royals, sent the poignant note to the British-based charity Scotty's Little Soldiers.
In it, he talks about how he shares losing a parent with those who the charity helps and says he knows first-hand the "pain and grief" that comes with loss after his mother Princess Diana died aged 36 in 1997.
He also tells the charity that those it supports are "not alone" and says they are in his thoughts and heart on Remembrance Sunday.
Harry writes in the letter: "While difficult feelings will come up today as we pay tribute to our heroes like your mum or dad, I hope you can find comfort and strength in knowing that their love for you lives and shines on.
"Whenever you need a reminder of this, I encourage you to lean into your friends at Scotty's Little Soldiers.
"One of the ways I've learned to cope has been through community and talking about my grief and I couldn't be more grateful and relieved that you have amazing people walking beside you throughout your journey. We all know some days are harder than others, but together those days are made easier.
"Today and every day, I admire and respect all the men and women who have given their lives in service of us - especially those in your family.
"I am also incredibly proud of you for being the best example in remembering them."
Harry also tells the charity that he salutes them and signs off the letter with "my deepest respect Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex".
The prince has a long-standing relationship with Scotty’s Little Soldiers which was was set up by war widow Nikki Scott in 2010 following the death of her husband Cpl Lee Scott in Afghanistan the previous year.
She saw the devastating impact on their two young children and wanted to help others in the same situation.
Ms Scott said: “We are so grateful to Prince Harry for his continued support.
“Our members know that he truly understands what it’s like to grow up without a parent and it means so much to them to know his thoughts are with them.
“To receive his letter on Remembrance Sunday has given them a huge boost on a proud but difficult day.”
The letter comes just hours after Harry's father King Charles honoured the nation’s war dead for the first time as monarch and laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in remembrance of all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Charles laid his wreath, its design a tribute to ones used by his late mother and grandfather George VI and it featured his racing colours after buglers from the Royal Marines played the Last Post.
The wreath was soon joined by others left by the Prince of Wales, the Earl of Wessex, and the Princess Royal, with the Queen Consort’s assistant equerry, Captain Edward Andersen, laying her tribute.
Watching from the balcony of a Government building was Camilla and the Princess of Wales, and nearby on another balcony was the Countess of Wessex and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
The Queen, who died just nine weeks ago at the age of 96, considered Remembrance Sunday, which commemorates the war dead, one of the most significant and important engagements in the royal calendar.
