Prince Harry Visits Arlington National Cemetery, Pays Respects to Soldiers

Young royal also laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns

By Alyssa Toomey May 10, 2013 4:29 PMTags
Prince HarryChris Jackson/Getty Images

We salute you, Prince Harry.

After a whirlwind day in Washington, D.C., where the redheaded royal was greeted by female screams, the uncle-to-be embarked on a far more somber day when he paid a visit to Arlington National Cemetery early this morning.

The 28-year-old Apache helicopter pilot, who recently completed his four-month tour of duty in Afghanistan, paid respects to soldiers who were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan by placing a wreath on one of the graves. 

NEWS: Find out how Harry spent his time in Washington

Charles Dharapak - Pool/Getty Images

"To my comrades-in-arms of the United States of America, who have paid the ultimate price in the cause of freedom. Captain Harry Wales," the message read.

After stopping at section 60 of the cemetery, Harry laid another wreath at Tomb of the Unknowns, where a solemn ceremony also took place.

Following his visit to the ceremony, Harry arrived at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in military uniform. 

Upon arrival, he went to the American Building, where he's speaking with four officials including Rear Admiral Alton Stocks, Commander, WRNMMC; COL Ramona Fiorey, Chief of Staff, WRNMMC; CMDCM Terry Prince, Command Senior Enlisted Leader; and WRNNMC Fredrick (Fritz) Kass, Commanding Officer, Naval Support Activity Bethesda.

He's also visiting the CAREN (Computer Assisted Rehab Environment) room where a 24-year-old Army Specialist who lost both his legs in an IED explosion in Kandahar will demonstrate a rehab simulator machine.

After that, Prince William's little brother will head to Denver for a reception hosted by Beverley Simpson, the consul-general to Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming. 

Busy guy! 

—Additional reporting by Lindsay Good