Britain's Prince Harry urged support for wounded veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars during an awards dinner Monday night in Washington, D.C.

The 27-year-old prince received a humanitarian award from the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based foreign policy research group, for his work with a foundation that trains injured British veterans and helps them return to civilian life. The foundation was created by Harry and his older brother, Prince William, both of them officers in the British military.

Prince Harry told the audience that the real battle for the wounded veterans begins long after “the guns have fallen silent” and the news media turns its attention away from the wars.

“They have paid the terrible price and keep us safe and free. The very least we owe them is to make sure that they and their brave families have everything they need through the darkest days, and, in time, regain the hope and confidence to flourish again.”

Prince Harry served as a helicopter pilot in Afghanistan in 2008, but was withdrawn after only a few weeks after his deployment was made public.

Earlier Monday, he spent time with a group of wounded veterans at the British embassy, and planted a tree in honor of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth's 60 years on the British throne.

Also accepting awards at the gala event were United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and German violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter.