Prince Harry makes first public appearance since confirming relationship with US actress

Harry spoke to members of the armed forces at the ceremony Credit: ITV

Prince Harry has appeared in public for the first time since confirming US actress Meghan Markle is his girlfriend.

The 32-year-old royal was joined by his grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey where they visited the Field of Remembrance.

Philip and Harry each laid a Cross of Remembrance, in front of two wooden crosses from the Graves of Unknown British Soldiers from the First and Second World Wars.

After the Last Post sounded, there followed two minutes' silence.

The Duke and the Prince then met veterans from past and more recent conflicts.

He stopped to talk to six-year-old Harrison Degiorgio-Lewis, whose uncle, Lieutenant Aaron Lewis was killed in Afghanistan in December 2008.

The youngster, accompanied by his grandmother, Helen Lewis, was proudly wearing his uncle's campaign medals and his beret and pointed them out to the Prince.

Mrs Lewis said: "We remember Aaron every day and miss him every day. It was lovely to speak to Prince Harry about Aaron.

"A charity set up in his memory is helping veterans that have been injured, both combat injuries and those with post-traumatic stress disorder.

"Our charity has even helped some of the guys that competed in Harry's Invictus Games and we were talking about that."

On Tuesday Kensington Palace warned of press "abuse and harassment" of 35-year-old Suits star Markle.

Prince Harry asked the Palace to issue the statement as he was "worried about Ms Markle's safety and deeply disappointed he has not been able to protect her".

The statement said Prince Harry is aware that there is "significant curiosity" about his private life and "knows what a fortunate and privileged life he leads".