PRINCE Harry has reminisced about the "dark sense of humour" of his military days during a chat with a group of former soldiers battling back to mental fitness in Wiltshire.

Harry told the veterans, who have been building an Iron Age roundhouse as part of their recovery from conditions like post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the frowned upon banter was vital to their psychological state.

The prince was visiting Tedworth House, Tidworth, a Help for Heroes recovery centre, to learn more about Hidden Wounds - a programme designed to help with the mental wellbeing of veterans.

As he chatted in the shadow of the impressive Iron Age house - built from wooden posts, wattle and daub walls and a immaculately thatched roof - Harry said: "As you say, once you've served, there's that dark sense of humour.

"A lot of civilians don't get it and actually it can be frowned upon sometimes, but to individuals like you, and the rest of them, without it you can't function at all - it's got to be part of the recovery process."