Bereaved Armed Forces children and young people have received a heartfelt letter from the Duke of Sussex.
Prince Harry has written a letter to members of Lynn charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers ahead of Remembrance weekend, letting them know how proud the nation is of them and reminding them that they are never alone.
Prince Harry has supported Scotty’s since 2017 and became the charity’s global ambassador in 2023. It has become an annual tradition for the Duke to write a letter to members of Scotty’s over the Remembrance period.
Scotty’s Little Soldiers Members Remembrance in 2024. Picture: Scotty’s Little Soldiers
In this year’s letter, he shared words of encouragement and admiration, acknowledging the young people’s strength, pride, and unity.
Prince Harry wrote: “As Remembrance approaches, I wanted to write and let you know how incredibly proud we all are of you. This time of year can bring a lot of emotions – pride, love, and sometimes sadness – as you remember your parent or loved one who served our country.
“Please know you are not alone in that. You have got each other, and a whole community of friends and family who understand what this time means and who are standing right beside you, myself included.”
Prince Harry wearing a Scotty’s Little Soldiers scarf. Picture: Archewell
He praised the resilience of Scotty’s members, adding: “Every time I see what Scotty’s families do – the way you remember your loved ones while still finding joy and living life to the fullest – I am reminded of just how strong and inspiring you all are. Your mums and dads would be so proud of you. We all are.”
Over Remembrance weekend, 100 bereaved military family members from Scotty’s, including 56 children and young people, from 38 families, will come together in London to honour their loved ones who served in the British Armed Forces.
Families are travelling from across the UK – as well as one from Germany – to attend both the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall and the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph, representing the bereaved military community.
Referencing the important role Scotty’s plays in Remembrance, Prince Harry said: “Remembrance is such a powerful moment for all of us.
“It’s a chance for the whole country to pause and come together to say thank you to those who served and to the families who love them, because when one person serves, the whole family serves. You play a really special part in that.
“I’m so proud that Scotty’s will be represented at the Festival of Remembrance and at the Cenotaph Parade this year; 100 of you from 38 families, from the youngest at just eight to the oldest at 24. When you march, you are showing the world what it means to remember with love and pride.”
Scotty’s members will wear their distinctive yellow and black scarves as a symbol of unity, pride, and remembrance. The colours were chosen to match those of the second Royal Tank Regiment, where Corporal Lee Scott, husband of Scotty’s founder Nikki Scott, served before being killed in Afghanistan in 2009.
Price Harry added: “Whenever I see those yellow and black scarves, I think of the unity, strength, and sense of belonging that runs through Scotty’s. You show everyone that in tough times, you stand together, while your loved ones watch on from wherever they may be, with admiration.”
Reflecting on his own time in the Armed Forces, Prince Harry said: “I often think back to my own time in the military; the friendships, the laughs, and the sense that no matter what, someone’s got your back. That same spirit lives in all of you.
“Through Scotty’s, you carry forward your parents’ legacy – one built on love, courage, and service – and you keep that spirit alive every day.”
As he signed off, the Duke reminded members of Scotty’s that they would be in his thoughts: “As your proud global ambassador, I just want to say thank you. You inspire me and so many others with your strength. Over Remembrance weekend, I’ll be thinking of you all with so much pride and admiration.”
What Prince Harry’s letter means to members of Scotty’s
For members of Scotty’s, receiving the letter from Prince Harry is deeply meaningful – a reminder that the wider military community and the nation stand beside them during this emotional time of year.
Among them is 21-year-old Molly Reynolds, whose dad, Sgt Antony Reynolds, served in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and died in 2018. Molly is a member of Scotty’s Council – a group of Scotty’s beneficiaries with lived experience who help ensure bereaved military children and young people have a voice.
Molly said: “Receiving this letter from Prince Harry for Remembrance Day is really special as it reminds us that we are not alone and he understands us, not just as someone who has served but also as someone who was bereaved as a child, so he truly understands what we have been through.
“It is also a reminder that others are remembering and honouring our parents alongside us.”
Nikki Scott added: “It’s become an annual tradition that Prince Harry writes to our members ahead of Remembrance weekend. It means a lot to all of us at Scotty’s that he takes the time to write such a thoughtful and heartfelt letter.
“His words capture exactly what Scotty’s is about – helping bereaved military families feel they belong and giving them the strength and confidence to achieve and thrive, even while carrying their grief.
“This weekend is always deeply emotional for our families, but it’s also a time for pride and connection. Knowing that Prince Harry – and the country – are standing alongside them means the world.”