Prince Harry speaks German in new speech for Germany’s inaugural Veteran’s Day

Prince Harry has spoken perfect German in a speech released for the country’s inaugural Veteran’s Day on June 15.

Harry, 40, has shared the short clip via the Invictus Games Foundation, wearing a dark suit and four military medals.

“Guten Tag Deutschland!” he said at the beginning of the speech, which translates to “Good day Germany”.

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“It is a profound privilege to be asked by your defence minister to deliver a message to you on this sacred Veteran’s Day,” he continued.

“My last visit to your remarkable country was at Düsseldorf two years ago for the Invictus Games,” he continued.

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“The warmth, the enthusiasm, and the unwavering support shown by the German people for our global community of wounded service personnel was truly humbling,” he said.

“You certainly delivered on your promise to create a home for respect,” the Duke of Sussex added, saying the “spirit of camaraderie, forged on the sports field, mirrors the unbreakable bond that connects veterans of all nations”.

“We understand each other, regardless of flag or uniform, bound by shared experiences and an enduring commitment to service,” he continued.

“Veterans are more than warriors; they are leaders. Living testaments to resilience and moral courage, they understand that loyalty must never lie with power alone, but with the people. With truth.

“As someone who has worn the uniform and stood shoulder to shoulder with brothers and sisters-in-arms from across the world – including many of you – I know that the weight of service is not carried lightly,” Harry said.

He went on to praise Germany for showing how “memory, accountability, and unity can be turned into strength”.

The royal said this first Veteran’s Day was a “celebration of you, the values you stand for, the oath you took, and the great country you stand to protect.”

Prince Harry ended the speech by saying: “Today, let us renew our commitment, together, to protect the freedoms that define who we are, to serve each other for peace, for dignity, and the enduring promise of democracy.”

Harry signed off with: “Vielen dank und einen schonen tag,” which means “Thank you very much and have a nice day.”

Harry’s speech was reportedly played at a commemoration in Berlin on June 15 and later posted online. It is understood Harry learned the German phrases for the speech and doesn’t speak German fluently.

Prince Harry served as an officer in the British army for a decade, serving two tours of Afghanistan. He launched the Invictus Games in 2014 in London with the hope of offering support to veterans.

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The Invictus Games Foundation offers a “recovery pathway for international wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women (WIS). We collaborate to provide opportunities for post-traumatic growth: enabling those involved to reclaim their purpose, identity, and future, beyond injury” the website states.

The next Invictus Games take place in the UK in July 2027 at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.

It isn’t known if Harry’s family will join him for the event, with the royal losing his legal bid for full-time security during trips to the UK.

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“The only thing I’ve been asking for throughout this whole process is safety,” Harry told the BBC in an exclusive interview following the ruling.

He described the situation as a “good old-fashioned establishment stitch up”.

“I can’t see a world in which I’d be bringing my wife and children back to the UK at this point,” he added.

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