Falklands support amazing - Duke

Andrew, who flew Naval helicopters during the campaign, will be among the invited guests taking part in a major event later commemorating the anniversary of the conflict.

Thousands of old soldiers and airmen who fought to liberate the Falkland Islands from Argentina will join the Prime Minister and the Prince of Wales at the spectacle being staged in Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall.

The Duke, speaking in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, said: "I think it's very important those of us who were down there have an opportunity to say thank you to the great many people in this country who supported the action that took place in the South Atlantic 25 years ago.

"We tried on a number of occasions in the past to say thank you, but I think this is really the epitome of being able to say thank you for the support that we had, it was truly amazing.

"I can remember leaving Portsmouth, standing on the deck of HMS Invincible right up on the front, and just sailing out of Portsmouth and just seeing all those people lined up along the coastline, supporting us as we departed."

During the conflict Andrew carried out various combat missions, helped in casualty evacuations in stormy conditions and performed patrols looking for submarines.

The sights, sounds and emotions of the campaign will be evoked during the televised commemoration event which will feature the recollections of servicemen and their families.

Among the guests in Horse Guards Parade will be Chancellor Gordon Brown, Defence Secretary Des Browne, the Duchess of Cornwall, and Baroness Thatcher, Prime Minister at the time of the conflict.

At the same time in the Falklands, islanders will be joined by the Earl of Wessex and Armed Forces minister Adam Ingram for a poignant service.