Prince Harry is currently honing his stand-up skills in preparation to take part in Stand Up for Heroes, a comedy fundraiser for U.S. veterans.
The event, which will be broadcast online and on ABC News on November 18, will also feature appearances from stars like Bruce Springsteen, Jon Stewart, Sheryl Crow, Tiffany Haddish, Brad Paisley, Ray Romano, and many more. The annual charity initiative raises money for the Bob Woodruff Foundation, an organization that aims “to create healthy, positive futures for our service members, veterans, and their families.”
The Stand Up for Heroes benefit was founded by ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff 14 years ago after he experienced serious head injuries while covering the war in Iraq. Since then, the event has grown significantly and changed over the years, but Springsteen has participated in almost every one, playing a brief acoustic set and testing out a few jokes on the crowd.
In a statement about the fundraiser, Woodruff wrote, “For the last 14 years, the Stand Up for Heroes event has continued to inspire our nation and serves as a reminder of all of the brave individuals that have defended our country selflessly in our military. This year, it is especially important that we unite to show support for their sacrifices as we come together virtually to stand up for our heroes.” He also added on Twitter, “I always love this event & this year, I’m really looking forward to the dose of inspiration from the veterans & military families who shared their stories with us. You will be moved by their strength.”
Harry, who served ten years in the British Army during which he undertook two tours of Afghanistan and rose to the rank of Captain, also paid tribute to fallen servicemen and women over the weekend in honor of Remembrance Sunday. The royal was joined by his wife Meghan Markle at the Los Angeles National Cemetery to lay flowers picked from their Montecito garden on the gravesites of two Commonwealth soldiers and at an obelisk dedicated “In Memory of the Men Who Offered Their Lives in Defense of Their Country.” The Duke of Sussex is also the founder of the Invictus Games, an annual sporting event for veterans meant “to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women.”
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