Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has spoken candidly about the challenges he faced after leaving the British Army, describing a profound sense of lost purpose and identity. In a video address to NATO’s military committee in Brussels, delivered in his capacity as founder of the Invictus Games, he reflected on the difficult transition service members often experience when ending their military careers.

Harry, who completed two tours in Afghanistan before concluding his service in 2015, said that stepping away from his uniform felt like losing more than just a profession. “I was fortunate. I had another way to serve,” he remarked, referring to his ongoing work supporting veterans through initiatives such as the Invictus Games, a sporting event he founded in 2014 aimed at injured service personnel and veterans.

The Duke underscored the importance of addressing the needs of military personnel after they have served, particularly those returning with wounds or injuries. “We must think just as seriously about what happens to them after they have served — particularly when they return wounded, injured or sick,” he told the assembled military leaders. His comments highlighted the challenges faced by many ex-servicemembers adjusting to civilian life and the necessity of ongoing care and support.

Since stepping down from official royal duties in 2020 alongside his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Harry has relinquished his honorary military roles and no longer wears the military uniform at formal occasions. Notably, he did not wear uniform at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, although he was granted special permission by King Charles III to wear his Blues and Royals number one uniform while standing vigil during the Queen’s lying-in-state at Westminster Hall.

Beyond the Invictus Games, which are scheduled to take place in Birmingham in 2027, Harry has maintained his support for military charities such as Scotty’s Little Soldiers, which assists children who have lost parents serving in the armed forces.

In his NATO address, the Duke emphasized that the alliance is built not only on military capability but also on the strength of the people and societies to which service members return. “That matters to NATO. Because the strength of an alliance cannot only be measured by the forces it can deploy. It must also be measured by the people and societies those forces return home to,” he stated, pointing to the need for comprehensive support systems for veterans and their families.