Prince Harry praised the “courage, duty and sacrifice” of Iraq War veterans on the 15th anniversary of the end of British involvement in the conflict. More than 6,000 British armed forces personnel were injured and 179 were killed during Operation Telic, the codename for UK military operations in Iraq from March 2003.

The Duke of Sussex, who undertook two operational tours in Afghanistan, discussed the poignant anniversary. He told GB News: “Fifteen years on from the end of the Iraq War, we remember with profound gratitude the brave men and women who served their country with courage, duty and sacrifice.

“Today, we honour not only those who paid the ultimate price, but also the veterans and families who continue to carry the visible and invisible wounds of war. Their strength, resilience and service must never be forgotten.”

Around 1,500 members of the armed forces community attended a ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on Friday to mark the anniversary.

The Duke is a veteran himself, who took part in two operational tours in Afghanistan. He initially served as a Forward Air Controller and later as an Apache helicopter pilot.

In late 2007, Harry embarked on a 10-week tour of duty fighting the Taliban in Helmand Province, operating as a battlefield air controller.

The secret mission, however, ended early after it was leaked on the internet.

Hoping to go back to Afghanistan, he retrained and qualified as an Apache helicopter pilot after training in Britain and America.

Harry was promoted to the rank of captain in April 2011 and was also awarded his Apache Badge from the officer in command of his Squadron at the same time.

In September 2012, he returned to Afghanistan for a 20-week stint, which gave him the chance to use his Apache flying skills and head out on operations in his role as co-pilot gunner.

Kensington Palace officially confirmed Harry’s departure from the Army in March 2015, marking the end of 10 years of service.

He then became a full-time working member of the Royal Family - which he remained until the spring of 2020, when he stepped back from royal duties alongside his wife, Meghan Markle, and relocated to the US.