'World needs more heroes': Prince Harry exploring scheme which values veteran community
The Duke of Sussex has said he is looking into launching a commercial scheme aimed at supporting veterans, amid reports he and his family are returning to the UK.
Speaking at an event in Washington organised by the Independence Fund – a US organisation which helps severely wounded veterans – Prince Harry told former service members and defence officials: "The world needs more heroes".
"It's not about creating heroes because they already live among us," he told the audience. "It's about being able to really value their expertise, their experiences."
Community he cares about most
Prince Harry, a former captain in the British Army who deployed twice to Afghanistan during his 10-year career, said military skills were not being utilised in civilian life and that he was looking at a commercial solution that would value "those who served rather than expect them to volunteer".
The Duke of Sussex has long had a deep-rooted admiration for the veteran community.
In 2014, he launched the Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick military service personnel.
Despite moving with his family to the America in 2020, he has remained deeply involved as a founding patron of the games and recently attended the one-year countdown event in Birmingham.
David Wiseman, chief programmes and strategy officer at Invictus Games Foundation, told BBC Breakfast that having Prince Harry back in the UK in time for the event in Birmingham next year was excellent news.
"I will be really pleased to have him back in the country," he said, adding that the move had taken everybody by surprise, but that the foundation will benefit greatly from having Prince Harry back in the UK.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to return to the UK later this month and have already enrolled their children in British schools.
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