Prince Harry Reflects on Losing ‘Part of My Purpose and Identity’ in Surprise NATO Address

Meredith KileThu, October 1, 2026 at 4:26 PM UTC

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Prince Harry salutes as the Last Post is played during a Remembrance Sunday service at Kandahar Airfield on Nov. 9, 2014Credit: Matt Cardy/GettyThe Duke of Sussex virtually addressed NATO’s Military Committee on Thursday, sharing the work his Invictus Games does for soldiers who return home from war -

Prince Harry virtually addressed the NATO Military Committee this week

The Duke of Sussex shared that he felt he’d lost part of his “purpose and identity” after leaving the military, helping inspire him to start the Invictus Games

“We are building a global movement that can turn the experience of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and their families into stronger communities, better systems and more resilient nations”

Prince Harry virtually addressed the NATO Military Committee this week, speaking about his experience in serving and how it helped inspire him to start the Invictus Games.

Speaking via videoconference to the committee’s headquarters in Brussels, the Duke of Sussex, 42, opened his remarks by thanking them for welcoming him back after a previous video appearance in October 2024.

“A great deal has changed since then. But what has not changed is the common ground between NATO and Invictus — and my belief that there is far more we can do together,” he said. “Because at its heart, NATO is an alliance of nations. But those nations are defended by people. People who volunteer to serve. People who train together, deploy together, fight together and in many cases, recover together. And families who serve alongside them in ways that are rarely acknowledged. And ultimately, people who come home.”

Prince Harry noted that, for as many resources are spent sending men and women to war, there are far fewer waiting for them on the other side of their service.“I know something about that transition,” he recalled. “When I hung up my uniform, I felt as though I had lost not simply a profession, but part of my purpose and identity.”

Prince Harry addresses the NATO Military Committee via teleconference on Oct. 1, 2026Credit: Admiral Giuseppe CAVO DRAGONE - NATO CMC/X

The Duke of Sussex noted that he was “fortunate” in that he had “another way to serve” as a member of the royal family, and he said he started the Invictus Games to help others “find their way forward.”“Invictus is not a sporting event,” Harry said. “Sport is one of our tools. Our mission is much bigger. We rebuild purpose. We rebuild confidence. We strengthen families and communities. We connect veterans back into society. And increasingly, we connect nations so they can learn from each other about recovery, rehabilitation, mental health and life after service.”

Prince Harry stressed to NATO leaders that it is particularly important to support veterans who have been injured or wounded during their military service, as they may struggle with the same feelings of purposelessness that he did after leaving the Army.“They may never wear the uniform again. But they can still lead. They can still serve. They can still strengthen their community and their country. And they can become some of the most credible role models we have — particularly for the next generation. That is character built from service. Values embedded in one’s blood.

“That is the Invictus Spirit,” he continued. “We are building a global movement that can turn the experience of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and their families into stronger communities, better systems and more resilient nations.”

Prince Harry plays wheelchair rugby during the ‘Invictus Games Birmingham 2027: One Year To Go’ event on July 10, 2026Credit: Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty

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Prince Harry went on to introduce two fellow veterans and Invictus leaders, who also addressed the military committee: Chief Programmes and Strategy Officer David Wiseman and Deputy CEO Richard Smith.

Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, thanked Prince Harry and the Invictus team in a post on X following their remarks.

“After having met them recently in Kyiv, I was once again struck by their clear vision and genuine commitment to those who have carried the heaviest burden of service,” he wrote. “#NATO and Invictus share values of community, respect and belonging. Our veterans’ commitment does not end when the uniform comes off, and neither should our support. No soldier fights alone, and no veteran should recover alone.”

The NATO appearance is the latest in a long line of engagements Harry has carried out since moving his family back to the U.K. last month. His wife, Meghan Markle, 45, and their children — Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5 — have largely remained out of the spotlight as they settle into their new home and school.

On Sept. 17, he attended the inaugural Invictus Spirit Awards, which were created to celebrate the organizations that have helped strengthen the international community surrounding the Paralympic-style sports competition for wounded, injured and sick armed service members.

The following day was another Invictus-centered event in Birmingham, England — the site of the 2027 Invictus Games —where he played pickleball with fellow veterans and met with 200 students.

Last week, after completing a daring skydive outside Toronto to make good on a promise to a 102-year-old World War II veteran and raise awareness and support for military charities, Harry spoke with CTV about how returning to the U.K. has benefited both his home life and his philanthropic efforts.

“The kids are happy in school, and it gives me a chance to really focus on Invictus in Birmingham,” Harry said.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”