Prince Harry Makes Surprise Visit to Pearl Harbor on Veterans Day: 'He Was Very Respectful'

Mar. 15, 2025

Prince Harry visits the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor (right).Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty, Debbie Bishop Conover

Prince Harrymade a surprise stop on Veterans Day.

Harry visited the memorial in a personal capacity. The USS Arizona Memorial on the island of Oahu is a short flight from his home in Montecito, California, where he lives with his wifeMeghan Markleand their two children, sonArchie, 3, and daughterLilibet, 1.

“He kind of approached us,” Dan Conover, who was also touring the USS Arizona with his family on Friday, tells PEOPLE.

“I moved out of his way because he’s royalty, I figured I’d let him do his thing. He basically gave me a greeting,” Conover, 23, explains. “He was very respectful and courteous and nice. I moved out of his way, and he kind of patted me on the back and said, ‘You’re all good mate.’ It was a simple interaction, but he was very nice and courteous and respectful.”

Prince Harry visits the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.Debbie Bishop Conover

The eyewitness added that there was an expert “who was basically explaining things toPrince Harry— ‘This is what happened on this day, how the USS Arizona, etc.’ "

The outing was likely emotional forPrince Harry, who served in the British Army for 10 years and completed two tours of Afghanistan. Before stepping back from his senior royal role, he heldthree honorary military titles— Captain General of the Royal Marines, Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington and Commodore-in-Chief, Small Ships and Diving, Royal Naval Command.

“On this Veterans Day and Remembrance Day, we honor service members across the world,” Harry and Meghan, 41, wrote. “These brave men and women, as well as their families, have made tremendous sacrifices and embody duty and service.”

Last year on Veterans Day, the couple paid asurprise visit to a New Jersey military base. At a luncheon for service members and their spouses at the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Meghan and Harry discussed topics like mental health and the importance of community.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Lee Morgan

The stop in N.J. came one day after attending the 2021 Salute to Freedom gala at the Intrepid Museum in New York City. In prepared remarks at the gala,Prince Harrydiscussed the isolation service members often feel when returning home and stressed the importance of supporting veterans.

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Prince Harry with Team Ukraine.Chris Jackson/Getty

“My experience in the military made me who I am today, and I will always be grateful for the people I got to serve with — wherever in the world we were,” said Harry. “But in war, you also see and experience things you hope no one else has to. These stay with us, sometimes like a slideshow of images.”

The prince went on to welcome the 2021 Intrepid Valor Award honorees, who he said “are part of an everlasting bond. You are part of the team of teams. And we will always have your backs. You are not alone.”

source: people.com