PRINCE Harry and Prince Charles have sent messages of support to families of ex-servicemen who were thrown into an Indian jail after their anti-piracy boat was detained.

Former Yorkshire Regiment serviceman Nicholas Simpson, 46, from Catterick Garrison and ex-paratrooper Nick Dunn, from Ashington in Northumberland are among six former soldiers being held in prison.

They were given a five-year sentence by a judge who ruled they were a threat to India’s national security while working on board an anti-piracy vessel in the Indian Ocean.

They were accused of not having the correct gun permits.

The men insist the weapons were held legally while they were on an operation to protect shipping from Somali pirates and they had been issued the correct paperwork by the British government.

Now, according to a national newspaper, Prince Harry has shown support for the former servicemen.

A campaigner who has been lobbying to help secure the men’s release wrote to the royal. His office replied to say Prince Harry asked to send his “very best wishes” and “hopes that there will be a resolution soon”.

Four of the men imprisoned are former Paras and Prince Charles, who is Colonel in Chief of The Parachute Regiment, sent a letter to the parents of John Armstrong, 28, from Wigton, Cumbria. They had written to him in the hope he could help the campaign to free the men.

According to reports, his assistant private secretary explained he was unable to intervene personally but said The Prince of Wales was “deeply saddened” to hear of the distressing situation, adding: “The prolonged separation, concern for health and wellbeing and financial strain as you await the outcome of the judicial process must be a very great burden on you all.

“His Royal Highness is grateful to you for taking the trouble to write to him as you did and he feels so deeply for you.

“I send you every good wish for a speedy conclusion to this matter so that John may return to his loved ones soon.”

John Armstrong’s sister, who is in India visiting her brother, said the men were buoyed by news of the support from the Royal family.