Prince Harry Pays Tribute To Fijian War Dead

The Duke of Sussex laid a wreath of poppies in honour of Fijian war veterans in a solemn ceremony in the country's capital.

Prince Harry wore the dress of his Blues and Royals regiment and his medals.

He stepped out under cloudy skies in Suva before taking the salute at the National War Memorial Grounds.

The Duke laid the wreath on a hook on the memorial stone with a note reading: "In grateful memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country.

"Loloma kei na masu (Love and prayers)."

He then went to talk to Fijian war veterans, including a number who had served with the British Armed Forces.

Meeting Maleli Naigulevu, from Koro Island, Harry asked: "Hello, how old are you?"

When Mr Naigulevu, a former pathologist in the medical corps told him, the duke said: "84! Still looking very young!"

Afterwards, Mr Naigulevu said: "It was very nice to meet Prince Harry today.

"He is a very good role model for us all.

"The British Royal family are very popular here as Fiji was ceded to Great Britain and they taught us good things."

Taniela Vakalaca, 12, was in the line wearing medals belonging to his father who died in Kenya two years ago.

Harry said: "Whose are these medals? Your father's?

"Are you going to join the army? You don't have to, only if you want to!"

Harry then spotted a familiar face in the crowd - Derek Derenalagi, whom he met at the first Invictus Games in London in 2014.

The duke spoke of his admiration for the Fijian service personnel at the black-tie dinner hosted by the president on Tuesday night.

In his speech, he said: "Your soldiers fought with the British Armed Forces during the First and Second World Wars and continue to serve alongside our soldiers to this day, with 1,350 Fijians currently serving.

"I must emphasise my respect, admiration and camaraderie with the Fijian soldiers that I served with in Afghanistan.

"We trained together, we fought together, and most importantly we laughed together."