Karwai Tang/WireImage Prince Harry asked a friend to lay a wreath and leave a message at the official commemoration of VJ Day on August 15 The Duke of Sussex's friend waited until King Charles and Queen Camilla had departed before leaving the tribute on a wreath of poppies The letter included warm words about his late grandfather, Prince Philip, who died in 2021 Prince Harryhas quietly paid tribute to fallen veterans and his late grandfatherPrince Philipwho fought in the Second World War. The Duke of Sussex had a wreath and a letter placed at the official commemoration to those who served in the Asia-Pacific region 80 years ago. The tribute was placed at the Burma Star Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire, England on Aug. 15, after his father,King Charles, had led the tributesearlier in the day. Harry, 40, who himself was an army officer and served two tours of Afghanistan, had asked a friend to place the memorial when the dignitaries, led by Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla, 78, and members of the media covering the event had departed, PEOPLE has confirmed. GB Newswas the first to report the news. Harry wrote in his message — carried on his own letterhead with his 'H' cypher — of his praise for the service members of the "Forgotten Army" whose "courage and endurance in the Far East campaign were anything but forgettable." He wrote that their service "in the jungles and mountains...was marked by grit, unity and sacrifice." Then, he added a poignant, personal tribute to his late grandfather Philip, whodied in 2021, aged 99. Darren Staples-WPA Pool/Getty "For me, this anniversary carries an added layer of meaning. My late grandfather, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, served in the pacific campaign. He spoke with quiet humility about those years, but I know how deeply he respected all who stood beside him in that theatre of war. Today, as I think of him, I think also of each of you, of the shared hardships, the bonds forge4d, and the legacy you leave." Philip was a war hero who joined the Royal Navy in 1939 and was praised for his role in his action during the Battle of Cape Matapan in the Mediterranean Sea in 1941. his service in the Pacific was as first lieutenant on the destroyer Whelp, and was on board ship in Tokyo Baywhen the surrender of Japan was signedin Sept. 1945. The memorial tribute was especially significant as Harrywas denied a requestto leave a wreath at the official memorial on Remembrance Sunday, November 2020. Harry and his wife,Meghan Markle, hadstepped down as senior royals earlier that year, and a source close to him said that though "he understands that he doesn't have the same formal role in the family as he used to, he was said to be "saddened and disappointed" to have his request turned down Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty On VJ Day,Prince WilliamandPrincess Katemade their own public tribute, writing onsocial media, "Today, on the 80thanniversary of VJ Day, we remember the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of all who served. Today we especially think of those British and Commonwealth troops who fought in the Asia-Pacific," Kate and William, both 43, wrote. "We owe an enduring debt to the generation who gave so much, and to whom we will always be grateful." Read the original article onPeople
