Prince Harry didn’t journey significantly to current Armed service Times’ prestigious “Soldier of the Year” award Thursday.
The Duke of Sussex stood in the yard of his and Meghan Markle’s $14 million Montecito mansion as he honored his “friend” Sergeant Initial Course Elizabeth Marks.
Harry awarded the US battle medic, a four-time Invictus Games gold medalist and 5-time Paralympic medalist, in a “special presentation” of the award, contacting her a “beacon of inspiration.”
Sgt. Marks, 33, suffered bilateral hip injuries whilst stationed out in Iraq in 2010. She was deployed at age 17.
In the congratulatory video clip, Harry wore a black blazer atop a crisp white shirt and purple tie. He also proudly pinned four military services medals to his upper body.
“I initially fulfilled Sgt. Very first Course Elizabeth Marks at the Invictus Games in Orlando 2016, wherever I offered her with not just one, but 4 gold medals that she’d gained in swimming,” the Duke stated in a clip broadcast by Navy Moments.
“To me, she epitomizes the bravery, resilience and dedication represented across our provider group. And this is not just because of her swimming qualities.”
He praised his pal for turning “her discomfort into objective,” introducing that she confirmed “others that the unattainable is in fact achievable.”
The father of two ongoing, “Despite the accidents she endured in the course of her deployment as a healthcare assistant in Iraq — along with various surgeries and setbacks that would have deterred many — she has persevered tirelessly, becoming the initially woman in the Army’s world-course athlete plan as nicely as the initially swimmer the plan had at any time noticed.
“She’s also taken her restoration a action more, utilizing her ordeals and achievements to encourage and guide many others in their mental and bodily journey into activity, ensuring people who can’t see a way out or as a result of are released to the medicine of activity that saved her way too.”
For the broadcast, Harry donned his Operational Services Medal for Afghanistan, which he received in 2008 for his service in Helmand Province.
Following to it hung the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, which he received in 2002 immediately after acquiring been in active support for five decades.
Harry also wore his Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, handed out to members of the crisis services, Armed Forces, prison support, and the royal household. He was awarded it in 2012.
Last but not least, the runaway royal’s fourth medal was the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal.
Harry launched the Invictus Games in 2014 as multi-activity Paralympic-styled games for wounded or wounded servicemen and veterans.
The royal was reportedly gearing up to jet off to his household soil in May well to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
But according to insiders, Harry is now possessing second thoughts as he’s anxious around his safety immediately after staying stripped of taxpayer-funded security protection in the United kingdom.
While Harry’s rumored journey is continue to unconfirmed, it’s thought that celebrations will acquire spot at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
It’s unclear if the journey will be however another solo enterprise, adhering to very hot on the heels of his 24-hour dash in February.
