Prince Charles gives speech marking Combat Stress anniversary

The Prince of Wales recently gave a speech about Combat Stress, as part of a St. James's Palace event to help mark the organisation's 95th anniversary.

Prince Charles, who is the charity's patron, met supporters as well as veterans at the event.

In the speech he stressed that, although most veterans depart the Armed Forces not needing extra support, there is a "profound and essential duty to care for those who carry the invisible scars of conflict."

He thanked his audience profusely for for their support and work in making sure that duty is undertaken.

His speech, which indicates the occasion was a somewhat rainy one, reminds the audience that he took over the position of Combat Stress patron from his grandmother, the Queen Mother, who was the long-time patron of the Armed Forces Welfare Association, as Combat Stress was previously known.

The charity was first founded shortly after the First World War and currently works with a caseload of more than 5,400 veterans.

It turned 95 in May, and spends some £14 million yearly to help those veterans who face mental ill health after service, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The Royal Family are closely linked to the military. Prince Charles mentioned in his speech, for example, that he is Colonel and Colonel-in-Chief of a lot of different units and regiments.

Prince Harry, Charles' son, who has served in Afghanistan, recently launched the forthcoming Invictus Games (September 10th to 14th 2014), which is also supported by The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

The games will involve some 400 injured, wounded or sick service people representing 14 different countries participating in a range of sports.