Prince Harry honors veterans following absence from royal family gathering on Remembrance Day.

Prince Harry is honoring "my fellow veterans" on Veterans Day and Remembrance Day through a tribute.

On Monday, the Duke of Sussex issued a statement honoring those who have served and their families. The 40-year-old served in the British army for a decade and established the Invictus Games, a sports competition for the injured, in 2014.

"The father of two expressed his lifelong admiration and appreciation for the service and sacrifice made by you and your families, both in times of conflict and peace, as quoted by People magazine. You have played a vital role in defending the values of liberty, freedom, and security, which have shaped you as leaders and role models."

"In times of global uncertainty, let us remember the unity and purpose that defined our service and put it into action in our communities. This spirit should guide us in facing today's challenges, and our example and morality demonstrate that true power lies in our ability to unite and confront the obstacles before us."

Harry stated, "As you continue to serve and make valuable contributions to communities, colleagues, households, and all those we love, I hope that our communities will continue to serve your needs too." He added, "Your contributions do not stop because you no longer wear the uniform, and the collective sense of appreciation for what you have done for your countries should not stop either."

He emphasized that the genuine expression of gratitude goes beyond mere words and requires our actions and continuous efforts to create a world that honors the sacrifices of those who came before us and safeguards it for future generations.

"I express my deepest gratitude and respect to all those who have served, both past and present. Your contributions have left a lasting, positive impact on our communities, nations, and future. It is an honor to stand alongside you."

Harry did not attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at The Cenotaph war memorial, which was held a day after members of the British royal family, including Kate Middleton, made an appearance. Harry, who resides in Montecito, California with his wife Meghan Markle and their two children, stepped back as senior royals in 2020.

Kate, who declared in September that she was cancer-free, attended the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday night at the Royal Albert Hall. Accompanied by her husband, Prince William, it was the 42-year-old's first major ceremonial royal event after finishing chemotherapy treatment.

Since their departure from the royal family, Harry has been distant from his kin. The couple cited the invasive media coverage and discriminatory attitudes of the British press as the reasons for their withdrawal from the royal sphere.

Harry, as a member of the royal family, held three military titles: Captain General of the Royal Marines, Air Commandant of RAF Honington, and Commodore-in-Chief, Small Ships and Diving, Royal Naval Command.

Harry has continued his work in supporting veterans. In May, he attended a service in London to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. In July, he was honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2024 ESPY Awards for his work with the Invictus Games.

"At a time of global uncertainty, remember the unity and purpose that defined your service, and do not hesitate to put that into action in your communities. That same spirit should guide all of us in facing today’s challenges. Your example and morality demonstrate that true power lies in our ability to unite and confront the obstacles before us." — Prince Harry

On November 6th, Harry quietly attended the Pat Tillman Foundation's 20th annual Tillman Honors gala in Chicago, according to People magazine.

Harry wrote a letter to young members of Scotty's Little Soldiers, a charity where he serves as a global ambassador, expressing his understanding of the weight of losing a parent at a young age.

In 1997, Princess Diana, Harry's mother, died at the age of 36 from injuries sustained in a car crash. Harry was 12 years old at the time.

"Harry wrote that it can be overwhelming and isolating, but in the midst of heartache, we find strength in love and memories left behind. He also noted that communities can offer deep comfort and healing."

He advised taking a moment to reflect on the values instilled in you by your loved ones, such as courage, compassion, and purpose, which will serve as your guiding light to navigate challenges.

By supporting one another, you not only pay tribute to the memories of your loved ones but also form connections that will sustain you during the most challenging times. The emotions and memories you create together, whether they are tears or laughter, shared experiences or moments of happiness, serve as potent reminders that love endures.

Your resilience is a reflection of the legacy of your loved ones, and I am confident in your ability to make them proud and succeed in life. All they want is for you to be happy, he concluded in his letter.

Harry has often mentioned how he found a "second family" in the "lifelong friends" he made while serving.

"In his Netflix docuseries "Harry & Meghan," he stated that growing up quickly is a result of two tours in Afghanistan and flying Apache helicopters on a military base."

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"Wow, I went to war twice," he said. "I enlisted for three years, but they kept offering me different options, and I ended up serving 10 years."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.