Meghan Markle, Prince Harry release statement after UK return plans revealed

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have released a statement on their official website two days after their plans of moving back to Britain were revealed by their friends.

The royal couple shared the statement with caption, “Service Beyond the Battlefield.”

They said in the statement, this past week, Harry visited Washington D.C. to meet with American veterans, caregivers, and members of the military community. He was hosted and invited by Sarah Verardo, CEO of The Independence Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of veterans and their families.

The Duke began the trip at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), the top United States military hospital, where he met recovering service members and medical staff.

Having previously toured the hospital in 2013, the visit offered an opportunity to see firsthand how advances in rehabilitation research and technology are helping wounded, injured and sick service members rebuild strength, independence and confidence.

While touring the facilities, Harry heard from doctors, hospital staff, and researchers in biometrics, osteointegration, and occupational therapy and saw first-hand how their innovations are changing the lives of wounded service members.

Their in-house fabrication capabilities are best-in-class, quickly serving their patients and sometimes designing and fitting a brand new prosthetic in under four hours.

The Duke also met with wounded service members and veterans completing physical therapy from both the United States and Ukraine reflecting on the exceptional care and camaraderie they have experienced at Walter Reed.

He also spent time with wounded service members receiving outpatient care and met Walter Reed leadership to discuss rehabilitation and the role programs such as the Invictus Games can play in supporting resilience and recovery.