Prince Harry gave a speech at the Freedom Gala; Credits: NY Post

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex surely know how to pull all the stops and look drop-dead gorgeous at a function. While we can't blame the royals for looking as stunning as they looked in their red carpet attire, it was particularly Prince Harry's speech for the event that stole the cake!

The formerly royal couple went all out for the Freedom Gala this year and dressed in a magnificent collection of the most beautiful garbs ever. The event was held at the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum in New York City. The Wednesday Gala of November 10 saw the Prince in attendance along with his wife, Meghan Markle. In attendance to bestow the honorary Intrepid Valor Awards to five service members, veterans, and military families, the Prince also shared a heart-warming speech while on the dais. 

He opened his speech with a greeting, wishing everyone a good morning, and went on to say how delighted he was in the midst of the USS Intrepid. Notably, he also shared that his last visit to the event was a decade ago where he got to live the American Dream. He started, “Good evening, everybody, it’s wonderful to be back on USS Intrepid a decade after my last visit – and a lot has changed since then. Just last week, I went for a ride on the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile – how’s that for living the American dream!” 

In his honorary speech, according to Harper's Bazaar, he also shared gratitude from his wife's side, “My wife and I are so grateful for your ongoing partnership, and we all deeply appreciate Fisher House’s long standing commitment to military families. On any given night, 1000 families are sleeping at a Fisher House. It’s no exaggeration to say that your services are quite literally keeping families together when they need it most – so thank you!”

Prince Harry himself has served in the military for 10 years, and to this day, agrees that the service made him that man that he is now. He continued his speech, "As many of us see it, service isn’t loud. Service is what happens in the quiet and when people aren’t looking. It’s about how we take care of each other every day. It’s about the camaraderie we share … the laughs, the comfort, the pain, the challenge, and yes, the banter." 

Harry also said, “Throughout my time in the military and after, I recognized and understood that for many who have served or are still serving—it might not feel right to stand out amongst the team and be recognized. But you deserve to be — and tonight, whether you like it or not, that is what’s happening. So, soak it up!”

The former royal, who has now given up his regal duties, also talked about his famous shift from the monarch rule of England to America back in January 2020. The Prince and his wife, Meghan Markle, had renounced their royal titles two years ago and now live in America with their son Archie, aged 2, and their daughter Lilibet, aged 5 months. 

Advancing his address, the Prince added, “I have to say, witnessing your support for all those that put themselves in harm’s way in defense of our freedoms and liberties – it’s remarkable and hugely respected. It reminds me of the deep reverence us Brits have for our military as well. The armed forces communities in both our countries share a special bond, and I’m grateful to have served in support of our joint allyship for many years.”

Though the Prince has been doing great in America, he couldn't help but be nostalgic as he said, “As we honor and reflect on Remembrance Day in the UK, which shares a date tomorrow with Veterans Day here in the U.S., my hope is for all of us to continue to support the wellbeing (and recognize the value of) our troops, veterans, and the entire military and service family. We and they are better for it.”

While the former Suits actress, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex and wife of Prince Harry, did not speak at the event, Meghan had shared with the reporters outside the Gala that she is "always proud" of her husband. The two then went on to walk down the red carpet as they shared longing glances with each other. The two smiled for the cameras as they were spotted wearing an assorted ensemble of dashing attires. 

The Prince wore a navy suit suiting the gala's environment, while the Duchess looked regal in a red outfit. They adorned their outfits with poppy pins, which symbolize the veterans who have served the nation. While they surely smiled a lot at the cameras, the couple mostly smiled at each other as they descended the steps close by each other's side. 

Prince Harry also talked about the "invisible wounds" that the veterans of the military are "susceptible to" during their long years of service. Hence, he addressed, “The scars on the inside that no one sees. For too long, invisible injuries were treated as just that — invisible — and were destined to be swept under the rug at the risk of shame, guilt, or just a lack of understanding.” 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stunned in their designer garbs; Credits: Elle

The Prince drew his speech to a close with the words: “Yet we now know that the mind is just like a muscle. It experiences trauma and pain, whether in conflict or at home, whether in uniform or not. It needs training …”