During his visit to Canada, Prince Harry has been engaging with some of the nation’s most senior veterans, enhancing his tour that bears echoes of his royal engagements. Despite speculation, the Duke of Sussex has dismissed any notions of attempting to outshine his brother, Prince William, who is currently in Brazil for the Earthshot Prize.

Today, Prince Harry made a heartfelt stop at Sunnybrook Hospital’s veterans center in Toronto. Here, he joined a group of Canadian war veterans in a creative arts session, a program designed to help these heroes convey their experiences, pay tribute to their service, and forge connections through the medium of art.

One particularly moving moment was captured when Prince Harry gently kissed the hand of 91-year-old veteran Villa Shah, a gesture that resonated deeply with those present.

Additionally, Prince Harry collaborated with 101-year-old veteran Jim LaForce, a former member of the Royal Canadian Air Force who bravely participated in the Battle of Normandy during World War II. Together, they painted poppies on an army helmet, symbolizing remembrance and respect for those who served.

In one particularly touching picture, Harry can be seen kissing the hand of 91-year-old Villa Shah. 

He also painted poppies on an army helmet with 101-year-old veteran Jim LaForce who served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War Two where he took part in the Battle of Normandy. 

Harry also met Ed Marshall who served in the air force and as a paratrooper during the war.

Speaking to veteran Brenda Reid, Harry asked what the veteran’s most memorable war story was, Ms Reid cautioned that, when it comes to her fellow residents, ‘you can’t always believe the boys’.

Harry painted poppies on an army helmet with 101-year-old veteran Jim LaForce who served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War Two

Prince Harry kissing the hand of Villa Shah, 91, during a visit to Sunnybrook Hospital’s veterans centre in Toronto

Ms Reid, 101, enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy and was posted to a station in Nova Scotia run entirely by women during the Second World War 

 As a humorous gift, Harry was presented with a Toronto Blue Jays cap. 

The present came after the prince found himself in hot water when he donned an LA Dodgers hat during their World Series baseball match against the Toronto Blue Jays last week.

Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, who are now residents of LA, left many Canadians far from impressed when they donned the hats.

Both have connections to Toronto that made that decisions surprising.

Markle lived in Toronto while filming the TV show that made her famous – Suits – spending seven years there and regularly talking up her relationship with the city.

‘It is like my home,’ she told Best Health magazine in 2015. ‘At the onset, I didn’t know what to expect, but everyone has been so welcoming.’

Harry, meanwhile, trained with Canadian forces during his time in the military, and Canada is part of the Commonwealth, once under British rule.   

Yesterday, the Duke spent time with members of Canada’s Reserve Forces in Toronto, meeting with soldiers from two historic Army Reserve units.

The visits were made to highlight the important role Reserve Forces play in Canada’s military capability.

Harry conversed with soldiers from the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada and the Royal Regiment of Canada.

The Queen’s Own Rifles, which was founded in 1860, is Canada’s oldest continuously serving infantry regiment.

Harry speaking to veteran Brenda Reid. The Duke asked what the veteran’s most memorable war story was, Ms Reid cautioned that, when it comes to her fellow residents, ‘you can’t always believe the boys’.

As a humorous gift, Harry was presented with a Toronto Blue Jays cap after he was spotted wearing a LA Dodgers hat during their match against the Toronto Blue Jays last week 

The Prince of Wales landed in Rio de Janeiro on Monday to mark the fifth anniversary of his environmental award, the Earthshot Prize.

But as William began his first engagement at Sugarloaf Mountain, his younger brother’s office in California announced a trip to Canada this week ahead of Remembrance Sunday.

The Brazil visit marks a pivotal and personally important moment for the heir to the throne – who jetted out of the UK after he and his father stripped his uncle Andrew of all his titles and his Windsor home.

Royal commentator Victoria Arbiter said the timing of Harry’s announcement was ‘inevitable if not predictable’.

But a spokesman for the Duke of Sussex has hit back, declaring: ‘The events were planned nearly a year ago.

‘The date of the main event, the dinner, is set by the charity, not Prince Harry.

‘The period of Remembrance tide traditionally extends from the 1–11 November and has done since 1918, over 100 years. He can’t choose to move those dates.’

The spokesman added: ‘We are always guided – as to when we can announce trips like this, by the advice given to us by his private security advisers and the event’s security team.

‘This visit, months in the planning, marks a return to a city that has a special place in the Duke’s heart, having played host to the Invictus Games back in 2017.’

The British royal household was informed of Harry’s Canada plans in advance – a sign that communications between the King and his youngest son are open again.

But Harry and William, however, are understood not to be talking.

In a previous statement Harry’s team blamed the timing of his trip on the fact he is ‘not afforded the same level of security and protection as other working members of the Royal Family’.

‘It means therefore, that the period of time in which we can release details of events is much more truncated than it is for His Majesty the King or the Prince of Wales’, his spokesman added.