Kate and William issue heartwarming Armed Forces message ‘We’re thinking of you’

Prince William spoke by video with servicemen and women on duty in Somalia, Qatar and the Gulf to show his family’s support for the Armed Forces. He told them: “I hope that you know that we are still thinking about all of you and the important job you’re all doing, and that everyone is very grateful.”

William said he hoped Armistice Day would remind people just how committed and determined Britain’s military personnel were.

The Prince spoke with three different forces members during the call.

He was joined by Royal Navy PT instructor Damon Bell, Corporal Jiwan Kumar Thapa, of the Queen’s Gurkha Signals, and Flight Sergeant Gemma Thomson.

He told them: “People don’t necessarily realise how committed and scattered the British Armed Forces are around the world.

“It is quite impressive, just a little snapshot of you three here in important areas of the globe where we are committed to doing our best and making a difference.

“It is interesting at Remembrance to have that time to reflect on all the roles that you guys are playing and British forces are committed to.”

William with Damon, Jiwan, left, and Gemma (Image: Kensington Palace/PA Wire)

William, 38, confessed he might be in need of military physical training to get back in shape if lockdown continues in his household.

He made the admission during a bit of banter with PT instructor Damon.

William recalled his time on HMS Iron Duke, a Type 23 frigate on which he served for five weeks during an attachment with the Navy in 2008.

He told Damon: “I remember being beasted by people like you, Damon, on the Iron Duke. The on-deck PT was always quite a fun afternoon.

“I think after a number of lockdowns I might need your PT skills to help get back into shape again.”

Damon replied: “Always on the end of a Zoom call, Sir, whenever you’re ready.”

He described how the ship’s company on HMS Montrose, another Type 23 frigate, had been keeping up spirits after being banned from shore leave because of Covid-19 in the Gulf.

Chantelle Wynn, Serena Alexander, Charlton with mum Sonia Fleming, and Kate (Image: Kensington Palace/PA)

Also in on the call was Corporal Thapa, who has spent three months on Operation Tangham training local military forces against extremists in Somalia. Jiwan described how his father and grandfather had served in Gurkha regiments for the British Army.

William said: “You followed in a very proud history. We are very grateful for all the hard work and wonderful history that we have had with the Gurkhas.”

He added: “You have a fearsome reputation around the world.”

Flight Sergeant Thomson, from RAF Wyton, Cambs, spoke from her base in Qatar, where British forces are deployed to tackle Islamic State in Operation Shader.

The mother of two, whose eldest child was born six years ago on Remembrance Sunday, described why the annual ceremony was so vital.

William said: “To be born on Remembrance Sunday is a very special birthday.”

Gemma told the Prince: “Remembrance is so much bigger than myself is something I articulate to my son when I’m making him lay a wreath on his birthday.”

William replied: “Got to get the balance of having a party and laying a wreath – one quite solemn, one quite chaotic.”

After Gemma described how much cake her son eats, the heir to the throne replied: “Then the sugar kicks in and it’s all chaos after that.

More than 11,000 members of British Armed Forces personnel are currently deployed around the world.

Meanwhile, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall will mark Armistice Day today by attending a service at Westminster Abbey.