Prince Harry Surprises Children of Fallen Military Personnel Before Leaving the U.K.: ‘It Was an Honor’

The Duke of Sussex paid a visit to a group close to heart.

Prince Harry’s trip to the U.K. for an Invictus Games-focused visit included time with a special charity.

On May 9, the Duke of Sussex, 39, made a surprise appearance at an event hosted by Scotty’s Little Soldiers in London. The afternoon brought together 50 kids and young people ranging in age from 6 to 22 who have experienced the death of a military parent, and Prince Harry swung by to support the charity he’s been involved with since 2017.

The Duke of Sussex, a former captain in the British Army, was named the inaugural Global Ambassador for Scotty’s Little Soldiers in November 2023, taking on the new royal to help amplify the voices of bereaved military children, connect with families in need and expand opportunities for collaboration and growth across military and veteran communities.

Prince Harry’s playful side shined at the event on May 9 as he participated in games like the “Flipper Challenge” and “Bucket Head” as he tapped into his paternal side! The Duke of Sussex shares son Prince Archie, 5, and daughter Princess Lilibet, 2, with wife Meghan Markle.

Also during the visit, he had conversations with parents and representatives from Scotty’s Council. The group of young people represent the charity’s other members and serve as a voice for bereaved military children, and spoke about their experiences of growing up without a parent and how Scotty’s Little Soldiers has made a difference.

“The standout moment in our conversation with Prince Harry was around coping mechanisms for bereavement.

We discussed being proud of the family member we’ve lost, celebrating their life, and understanding that it’s okay to be sad, to grieve, and to seek support in whatever way feels right,” said Scotty’s Council member Joshua Kirkham, 19. Joshua got involved with Scotty’s in 2014 following the death of his father LCpl Christopher Bradshaw in 2011, and shared the reflection after connecting with Prince Harry.

In his own statement, the Duke of Sussex said, “It was an honor to meet so many of the wonderful families Scotty’s Little Soldiers supports. I have long believed in the mission of this charity, and I truly believe the work they do to foster community and create space for young people to connect, grieve, but also have fun together is life-changing.”

“I am a huge supporter of their work, and very proud to be their first Global Ambassador,” he added.

Prince Harry has previously dressed up as Spider-Man and sent a message as Santa Claus (among other endeavors) for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, which currently supports over 670 bereaved military children and young people and works to remind them that they are not alone.

To know that someone like Prince Harry is behind us and supporting us makes you feel and that people are listening – and he is going to help to get more people to listen and get our message across,” Scotty’s Little Soldiers founder Nikki Scott previously told PEOPLE.

Prince Harry, whose mother Princess Diana died when he was 12, has been a supporter since 2017 after first meeting at an event at Buckingham Palace. Nikki established the charity following the death of her husband Corp. Lee Scott on a tour of Afghanistan in 2009, and added that Harry “really gets it.”

“It is such a positive thing for us. The fact that [Harry] was bereaved as a child and served in the military, the young people we support really resonate with him,” she told PEOPLE.