As the United Kingdom observed Victory in Europe Day this week, Prince Harry honored World War II veteran Private Joseph Hammond of Ghana with a personal video message and a commemorative Invictus medal coin, shining a spotlight on service beyond the royal stage.

The two men, who first met in 2019 during a remembrance ceremony in London, have maintained a mutual respect rooted in shared military experience. In his latest message, Harry offered warm birthday wishes and praised Hammond for a lifetime of service—both in uniform and in the years since.

Related | Prince Harry’s Ukraine Visit Reinforces Commitment to Wounded Veterans and War Victims

Prince Harry Praises World War II Ghanaian Veteran

“Happy birthday, sir,” Harry said in the recorded video, which was posted on social media by Hammond. “Thank you from all of us for your incredible service, both wearing uniform and as a veteran. You are quite literally a hero of Ghana.”

Prince Harry noted that a delegation from the Invictus Games had just returned from Ghana, bringing back positive reports about Hammond’s health and spirit. As the founder of the Invictus Games, Harry presented Hammond with a symbolic medal coin, a gesture acknowledging his contributions and resilience.

In return, Hammond gave Harry a copy of his memoir. The duke expressed gratitude for the gift and said he looked forward to reading it. He also spoke of hopes that Ghana would soon become part of the Invictus community, a global network of nations supporting wounded and retired service personnel through adaptive sport.

“I really truly hope that we will be able to celebrate together once Ghana joins the Invictus community of nations,” – Prince Harry

A Relationship Built On Remembrance And Respect

Hammond, a veteran of the Burma campaign, served as a mechanic in World War II under British command. His meeting with Harry at the Field of Remembrance in 2019 marked the beginning of a bond shaped by shared values of duty and sacrifice. At the time, Hammond described Harry as “also a soldier,” recalling their heartfelt exchange about battalion life and military commitment.

In 2020, at the age of 95, Hammond embarked on a 14-mile charity walk across Accra to raise money for COVID-19 frontline workers. Prince Harry wrote him a personal letter praising the effort. “It is amazing,” he wrote, recognizing Hammond’s determination to serve others even in his later years.

This latest tribute comes at a time when Harry’s connections to African organizations have faced scrutiny. African Parks, a conservation charity where Harry sits on the board, recently acknowledged serious human rights violations by its rangers in the Republic of the Congo. Still, the Duke’s message to Hammond remains focused on dignity, legacy, and solidarity among veterans.

The birthday message may have been brief, but it reflected a relationship sustained by respect across generations, continents, and the shared weight of uniformed service. In his earlier correspondence, Harry emphasized the importance of Hammond’s example and expressed deep admiration for his life of duty. His latest message reaffirmed that commitment, showing that even amid institutional controversy, he continues to prioritize individual acts of service and remembrance.

Discover more from Feminegra

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.