Prince Harry wore his military medals for a video filmed in his Montecito mansion to present a Soldier of the Year award to a US combat medic.
In a “special presentation” of the award, the Duke of Sussex paid tribute to his “friend” Sergeant First Class Elizabeth Marks, who he described as a “beacon of inspiration”.
The four-time Invictus Games gold medalist and five-time Paralympic medalist, 33, suffered bilateral hip injuries while deployed in Iraq in 2010, after joining up aged just 17.
Harry, 39, wore a black jacket and red tie for the video link alongside his medals.
Prince Harry wearing his military medals
Duke of Sussex
Speaking on video, the duke told the crowd: “I first met Sergeant First Class Elizabeth Marks at the Invictus Games in Orlando 2016, where I presented her with not one, but four gold medals that she’d won in swimming.
“To me, she epitomises the courage, resilience and determination represented across our service community. And this is not just because of her swimming abilities.
“Ellie has courageously overcome every obstacle to cross her path. She has turned her pain into purpose and led through compassion and willpower, showing others that the impossible is indeed possible.
“Despite the injuries she endured during her deployment as a medical assistant in Iraq – along with numerous surgeries and setbacks that would have deterred many – she has persevered tirelessly, becoming the first woman in the Army’s world-class athlete program as well as the first swimmer the program had ever seen.
Prince Harry was deployed in Afghanistan
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“She’s also taken her recovery a step further, using her experiences and achievements to inspire and assist others in their mental and physical journey into sport, ensuring those who can’t see a way out or through are introduced to the medicine of sport that saved her too.”
Harry proudly wore his Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan, which he earned in 2008 for his service in Helmand Province.
He also wore his Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, which was awarded in 2002 to everyone who had been in active service for five years, and his Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, which was given to members of the emergency services, Armed Forces, prison service, and the royal household in 2012.
The father-of-two additionally wore his Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, despite having given up his honorary military titles in 2020.
Prince Harry wearing his medals at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral
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Prince Harry first met SFC Marks at the Invictus Games tournament in Orlando in 2016, and said he is now “honoured” to call her his friend.
Thanking SFC Marks for her service, Harry continued: “Ellie – you embody the Invictus spirit through your selfless service. You know that sport doesn’t just save lives, it transforms them for the better.
“And in finding your own cure, you’ve helped countless brothers and sisters in staying alive.
“Your unwavering commitment serves as a beacon of inspiration, offering hope and setting a powerful example for others to follow.
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Prince Harry was stripped of his honorary military titles when he stepped down as a working royal with Meghan Markle
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“I am honoured to call you my friend and can’t thank you enough for being you – and for Mason, your husband, for being so supportive of you.
“To all the service members in the room tonight, past and present, know that your community and indeed the international community is grateful.
“Grateful for all the sacrifices you and your family have made, grateful for your service to your country, grateful for continuing the important values we learnt. Tonight, it’s for you. Thank you for all that you’ve done.”
Prince Harry has not worn a uniform since he and Meghan moved away from the UK in 2020 and he was stripped off his military titles.
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