24 March 2023 , 08:05
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Prince Harry made a surprise appearance on Car S.O.S. to congratulate a disabled veteran.
The Duke of Sussex made a shock appearance on the National Geographic car renovation show saw with a message for Lance Corporal Stephan Van Niekerk, 36, calling him an inspiration.
Corporal Niekerk - who joined 3rd Battalion, the Rifles, at the age of 21 - was struggling with his Jeep Grand Cherokee, with it always experiencing mechanical problems. The Corporal from Taunton in Devon was hit by an improvised explosive device.
Lance Corporal Niekerk had his Jeep completely reworked (PA)"Stephan, congratulations. I hope at this point you’re sitting in your brand new, or certainly what looks like a brand new Jeep. Good on you mate, well done, fully, fully, fully deserved. I can’t think of anyone that deserves this more than you," he said in the message.
"After getting injured at such a young age after two tours of Afghanistan, you are the definition of inspiration because you are not defined by your injury. You are defined by your selflessness to others, to your community, your inspirational talks to young people."
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He added: "And, of course, to your four kids, and your amazing wife Sadie, who no doubt has got you this far. So full respect, well done you, and I heard, someone told me, that you’re planning to cycle from Canada to Mexico - just a mere 2,745 miles, I think."
Harry went on to thank the veteran for his incredible service, and said how proud he was of him.
Harry did a video message from his LA home (National Geographic for Disney)"Good luck with that, I know you’re going to do it, I know you’re going to smash it. I know you’re going to raise a lot of money for Blesma as well. Other than that, mate, just a huge congratulations. Thank you for your continued service and commitment to others.
"I’m sure your whole family is incredibly proud of you. I’m proud of you. We’re all proud of you… there’s a reason you were chosen for this. So yeah, saddle up and enjoy your new wheels. And then make sure that you get as fit as you can for this next huge adventure that’s coming your way and then you can smash that."
The Duke of Sussex then went on to offer Stephan a chance of meeting him one day.
"And at the end of that. I would love to meet you even if it’s over a Zoom, but yeah, full respect, mate. Well done, love it and catch you soon, cheers," he said in the clip, which was filmed from his home in the US.