Inside Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Intimate Meeting with Military Families in Windsor

Photo credit: Samir Hussein - Getty Images
Photo credit: Samir Hussein - Getty Images

From Town & Country

Prince Harry and Meghan have surprised their neighbors by dropping into an event for military families. The royal couple visited the Broom Farm Community Centre in Windsor on Wednesday morning where they mingled with those who have loved ones deployed overseas.

As parents to six-month-old Archie, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex also shared baby stories with other moms and dads. “My daughter Aeris is the same age as Archie and we talked about weaning and the children beginning to crawl—she’s just a normal mum and it was like talking to a friend,” Amy Thompson, whose husband Brad is attached to the Welsh Guards, told Army&You Magazine.

According to the publication, Prince Harry spoke about how difficult it can be for families while someone is away serving. “It’s unbelievably hard. I have so much respect and admiration for anyone who has to deal with that,” he said.

He also remarked on what it must be like for parents who are away from children. “I can’t imagine what it’s like to miss so much as they change so quickly,” he said.

Photo credit: Pool/Samir Hussein - Getty Images
Photo credit: Pool/Samir Hussein - Getty Images

Windsor is home to regiments from the Coldstream Guards and the Welsh Guards, as well as some members of the Household Cavalry. The majority of the Coldstream Guards are currently in Kenya on Exercise ASKARI STORM, while a large proportion of the Welsh Guards are serving in the Falkland Islands. Military families with ties to these groups regularly gather on Wednesday mornings at the community center in the army housing estate.

Harry and Meghan’s surprise visit yesterday was covered by military media including Army&You Magazine which is the Army Families Federation’s flagship publication. Coldstream Guards welfare officer, Capt. Colin Lewis told the magazine that it was was “great for the Duke and Duchess to take the time to truly understand the challenges they [military families] face.”

He added about the couple: “They are very down to earth, and they’ve had a snapshot of the entire community here by talking to lots of people from different backgrounds.”

The visit took place during Remembrance Week when the royals are out in force to honor those who died in combat and show their support for veterans and those serving in the military. Harry and Meghan will also visit the Field of Remembrance today and join the royal family for the Festival of Remembrance on Saturday evening as well as at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.

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