Prince Harry says he understands grieving families' losses

Prince Harry says losing their mother helps the princes understand what grieving families are going through
12 April 2012

Prince Harry said losing his mother so suddenly makes him appreciate how hard Christmas will be for the grieving families of servicemen "ripped away" in Afghanistan.

Diana, Princess of Wales, died after a car crash in August 1997 when her younger son was just 12 and his brother, Prince William, was 15.

Harry told The Sun newspaper: "I think for the families - the mothers and fathers and the brothers and all the loved ones who have lost a fellow member of the family or a loved one themselves - that it's going to be a very, very hard Christmas, especially if it's their first since they have lost a son or daughter.

"They have had a very close life ripped away from them as William and I did - but in very different circumstances.

"I'm sure that they will know that everyone's thoughts, especially ours, will be going out to those who have lost loved ones."

The Prince, who spent Christmas 2007 serving in Afghanistan, said the festive season is also difficult for troops who are away from home.

The Prince's words were published as the latest soldier killed in Afghanistan was named as Corporal Simon Hornby, 29, from the 2nd Battalion, the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.

Cpl Hornby's death, in an explosion in the Nad-e-Ali area of Helmand on Saturday, was the 103rd this year and brought the total of British service personnel who have died since the start of operations in Afghanistan in 2001 to 240.

Harry's comments were made at The Sun Military Awards last week which were also attended by Prince William.

The awards will be broadcast on ITV1 at 9pm tonight.

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