Prince Harry praises ‘courage, duty and sacrifice’ of Iraq war heroes after GB News broadcast

Today’s ceremony was held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire

Prince Harry has praised the “courage, duty and sacrifice” of Iraq war heroes after the Royal British Legion held a national commemoration service to mark 15 years since the end of the Iraq War for British forces.

The Duke of Sussex 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.”

Today’s ceremony, held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, served as a remembrance service for veterans and families who were involved in, or lost friends or family members, during the conflict.

GB News broadcast the national commemoration during Good Afternoon Britain to honour servicemen and women.

The Armed Forces joined the US-led “Coalition of the Willing” in the invasion of Iraq in March 2003.

Within just one month, forces quickly achieved their immediate objectives, with the UK primarily responsible for securing provinces in the south.

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Prince Harry has praised the ‘courage, duty and sacrifice’ of Iraq war heroes after the Royal British Legion held a national commemoration service to mark 15 years since the end of the Iraq War for British forces

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This was followed by six years of deadly, sectarian civil war which would claim tens of thousands of lives.

By 2008, with the situation stabilised, British troops were able to begin their withdrawal. The final personnel departed Iraq on May 22, 2009.

Prince Harry served two tours of Afghanistan during his time in the British Army.

His first tour, between 2007 and 2008, lasted 10 weeks and was cut short in February 2008 when a foreign media embargo was broken, compromising his security.

The prince’s second tour lasted 20 weeks between 2012 and 2013, and he was based at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province.

He founded the Invictus Games in 2014, an international multi-sport event for wounded, injured or sick servicemen and women.Supporting both serving personnel and veterans, the sports competition aims to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and “celebrate the unconquered human spirit”.

The city of Birmingham will be hosting the Invictus Games in 2027.