Prince Harry pictured volunteering with veteran communities in California

He was packing and distributing food to servicemen and women living in Compton, Los Angeles

(Getty Images)

Prince Harry has been supporting his local community by volunteering to pack and distribute food to war veterans with the Walker Family Events Foundation in Compton, California.  

The organisation – which co-ordinates aid for servicemen and women living in at-risk communities and affected by the Covid-19 pandemic – has posted a picture of the Duke of Sussex in a black mask, standing next to a table of food parcels.

The post reads: “Today I had the honor of meeting and working alongside Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. He joined us in volunteering at Compton VFW for the weekly Operation Nourish program packing and distributing food to our #Compton neighbors. He is very humble and kind.”

Prince Harry – who served in the military himself – moved to California with his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, earlier this year, after the couple left their roles as royals. They are living in Santa Barbara, outside of Los Angeles.

They have given their time to various community projects since moving, including joining a volunteer project at Los Angeles’ Homebody Industries’ Cafe to help rehabilitate former gang members, as well as giving out supplies on behalf of child poverty charity Baby2Baby.

The Walker Family Events Foundation was formed in 2019 by husband and wife Dan and Tia, who wanted to tackle food security and homelessness in Compton’s veteran community.

The prince also made a surprise appearance on Strictly Come Dancing at the weekend, supporting contestant and Invictus Games medalist, JJ Chalmers.  He reflected on his first meeting with Chalmers, who suffered severe injuries to his arms, face, and legs while serving with the elite Royal Marines in Afghanistan.

“When I first met JJ, he was a shell of himself,” Harry recalled. “But then to see you shine through Invictus and to become like yourself again - that was the start of an amazing journey.”

Chalmers also opened up about the impact the Invictus Games had on his life, telling viewers: “The simple fact is, if Prince Harry had not created the Invictus Games I would not have had that catalyst moment that changed my life forever. “I wouldn't be here without him.”

Chalmers participated in the first Invictus Games, a multi-sport event for wounded, injured, or sick armed services personnel founded by Harry, in 2014, where he won a gold medal.