Royals

Prince Harry’s kind gesture to a war widow in Sydney

He's his mother's son.
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There’s no denying that Prince Harry is one of the Royal Family’s good guys.

Whether he’s cuddling babies, tenderly looking after newly-pregnant wife Duchess Meghan while she navigates her first major overseas Royal Tour or paying tribute to the heroes competing in the Invictus Games, the prince has shown repeatedly that, just like his mum before him, he has time for people and isn’t afraid to show his emotions.

Prince Harry had something surprising to say to his aides after he was snapped hugging Invictus Games ambassador Gwen Cherne as they climbed the Harbour Bridge in Sydney on Friday. (Image: Getty Images)

One such example of the modern royal’s attitude to life is the touching moment that has just been revealed by Gwen Cherne, Invictus ambassador and a war veteran’s widow.

Gwen’s husband, Peter Cafe served in Cambodia, Afghanistan and Iraq before he took his own life in February this year. The widow met the Duke of Sussex when he climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Friday with Gwen and two other members of Team Australia as well as Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The prince was snapped hugging Gwen as they completed the climb.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison joined the prince as they climbed Sydney’s Harbour Bridge. (Image: Getty Images)

Always on a tight schedule, Prince Harry then shushed aides who tried to hurry him along when he was talking to Gwen by simply saying, “I’m in the middle of a conversation.”

Prince Harry was spotted in deep conversation with Gwen Cherne as they walked down the other side of the Harbour Bridge after their climb. (Image: Getty Images)

“He stopped and said, ‘I’m in the middle of a conversation and I’m not going to leave this,'” explained Gwen to People magazine.

WATCH: Prince William and Prince Harry talk honestly with Duchess Kate about losing their mum.

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“We were talking about my story and mental health and how difficult it is still, in our society, to talk about grief and loss and suicide.

“And how important things like the Invictus Games are to shedding light on, and allowing people to start to have these conversations that are great to have.”

READ MORE: Prince William, Duchess Kate and Prince Harry talk about mental health.

It’s not the first time Prince Harry has opened up about his own personal struggles with mental health following the death of his mother Princess Diana when he was just 12-years-old.

Prince Harry knows all too well what it is to lose a loved one and the impact that can have on mental health. (Image: Getty Images)

Indeed, the caring royal founded the Invictus Games to support sick and wounded servicemen and, only last week, wrote a touching tribute to all veterans at the opening of the extended ANZAC memorial in Sydney’s Hyde Park.

The handwritten message read, “In grateful memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and in recognition of the men and women for whom the scars of war endure.” It was signed by both Harry and Meghan.

Prince Harry’s devotion to veterans is something that Gwen finds particularly touching.

“I think they (Harry and Meghan) provide this beacon of hope and light for so many,” she said. “They’re touching, they’re shining that interest on the Games, and that shines light on their service and that shines light on the sacrifices their families make.

“I was humbled by the opportunity to spend that time with him and grateful for all he is doing given his place in the world.”

The flag of the Invictus Games stands proudly beside the Australian flag. (Image: 7 News)

There’s no doubt that along with Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge and Duchess Meghan, Prince Harry is one of the new breed of royals for whom no topic is taboo, mental health included. Long may they reign.

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