Prince Harry has been practising his German to mark the country’s first Veterans Day. Harry began and closed his speech in German, greeting viewers with “Guten Tag Deutschland!”, before saying it was a “profound privilege” to deliver the message on the “sacred day”.

In the video released in The Sun, the Duke of Sussex closed by thanking viewers and wishing them a good day in their mother tongue, saying: “Vielen dank und einen schonen Tag.” The Prince referenced his last visit to Germany for the Invictus Games in 2023, when he was joined by more than 2,500 veterans and injured service personnel.

Prince Harry said: “My last visit to your remarkable country was to Düsseldorf two years ago for the Invictus Games, and it remains etched in my memory.

“The warmth, the enthusiasm, and the unwavering support shown by the German people for our global community of wounded service personnel was truly humbling. You certainly delivered on your promise to create a home for respect.

“That spirit of camaraderie, forged on the sports field, mirrors the unbreakable bond that connects veterans of all nations. We understand each other, regardless of flag or uniform, bound by shared experiences and an enduring commitment to service.

“Veterans are more than warriors – they are leaders. Living testaments to resilience and moral courage, they understand that loyalty must never lie with power alone, but with the people. With truth.”

During the video message, Harry wore numerous ceremonial medals, including the Afghan Campaign medal, Golden Jubilee medal, Diamond Jubilee medal, and Platinum Jubilee medal.

Referencing his time in the military, when he was deployed twice on active duty to Afghanistan, Harry said he knew that the “weight of service is not carried lightly”.

The Prince added: “We serve not to glorify war, but to protect peace.”

He said Germany had shown the world how “memory, accountability, and unity can be turned into strength”, and said Germany’s role in safeguarding peace and stability in Europe “has never been more critical” during “turbulent times”.

He also thanked the “brave men and women of the Bundeswehr,” who were also celebrated on Veterans Day.

He concluded: “Today, let us renew our commitment—together—to protect the freedoms that define who we are, to serve each other for peace, for dignity and for the enduring promise of democracy.”