'Moron!' Prince Harry blasted as he dons British military medals in new video

Prince Harry presents Soldier of the Year award

Prince Harry was severely criticised for wearing his military medals during a new video appearance at an awards ceremony this week.

The Duke of Sussex presented the Soldier of the Year award to US combat medic Sergeant First Class Elizabeth Marks.

Ms Marks, a four-time Invictus Games gold medalist and five-time Paralympic medalist, suffered bilateral hip injuries while deployed in Iraq in 2010, after joining up aged just 17.

Harry, who appeared to be at his Montecito mansion when filming the new video, hailed the medic for her "courage, resilience and determination represented across our service community".

Wearing a black blazer, white shirt and red tie for the video link, Harry also sported his military medals, including his Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan, which he earned in 2008 for his service in Helmand Province, the late Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, which was awarded in 2002 to everyone who had been in active service for five years, Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee Medal, which was given to members of the emergency services, Armed Forces, prison service, and the royal household in 2012 and the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal - despite having given up his honorary military titles in 2020 - when he left the Royal Family.

Prince Harry presented an award through video link (Image: Military Times)

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Royal fans were not impressed with Harry's move and took to social media to express their disapproval.

One user wrote on X: "Bunker Harry looks like a moron wearing those medals [laughing face emoji].

A second one said: "Omg is this recent? How embarrassing"

A third person agreed: "Why is everything these two produce out of focus? Those medals are ridiculous."

A fourth one commented: "Good god, how pathetic. He’s lopsided! He needs someone to advise him on optics. The participation medals are a sad cry for ‘looook at meeeeeeeee’."

However, others defended the duke with one commenting: "Harry is wearing his participation medals. 3 of them are to mark the late Queen's jubilees, and one is for being in the Army."

Prince Harry wore his medals during his video appearance (Image: Getty)

During a heartfelt speech in the video, Harry said: "I first met Sergeant First Class Elizabeth Marks at the Invictus Games in Orlando 2016, where I presented her with not one, but four gold medals that she'd won in swimming.

"To me, she epitomises the courage, resiliance and determination represented across our service community. And this is not just because of her swimming abilities.

"Ellie has courageously overcome every obstacle to cross her path. She has turned her pain into purpose and led through compassion and willpower, showing others that the impossible is indeed possible..."

Elsewhere, he added: "Ellie - you embody the Invictus spirit through your selfless service. You know that sport doesn't just save lives, it transforms them for the better. And in finding your own cure, you've helped countless brothers and sisters in staying alive.

"Your unwavering commitment serves as a beacon of inspiration, offering hope and setting a powerful example for others to follow. I am honoured to call you my friend and can't thank you enough for being you - and for Mason, your husband, for being so supportive of you.

"To all the service members in the room tonight, past and present, know that your community and indeed the international community is grateful. Grateful for all the sacrifices you and your family have made, grateful for your service to your country, grateful for continuing the important values we learnt.

"Tonight, it's for you. Thank you for all that you've done."

The award ceremony was hosted by the Military Times - an independent news website which focuses on issues for the military community and honours one outstanding military member for each branch of service, based on service that goes beyond the call of duty every year.