Prince Harry has come a long way from his days as the “spare heir” to forging his own path as a senior working royal. As the younger son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, Harry grew up in the shadow of his elder brother Prince William, who is second in line to the British throne. However, Harry has emerged as a trailblazing royal in his own right after taking on more duties and carving out causes close to his heart. In this article we talk about Prince Harry’s Royal Journey- How Has His Role as Duke of Sussex Evolved.
Early Life and Military Service
Harry was born Henry Charles Albert David on September 15, 1984. He endured great tragedy at a young age when his mother Diana was killed in a car accident in 1997. After graduating from Eton College in 2003, Harry took a gap year where he traveled to Australia and Lesotho. Rather than attending university, he enrolled at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2005. Harry was commissioned as an army officer in 2006 and went on to serve two tours in Afghanistan. His military service earned him great respect and popularity in Britain.
Finding His Royal Purpose
As a full-time working royal, Harry has become actively involved in numerous charitable endeavors. Many of his patronages carry on his mother’s legacy and help those struggling with issues like mental health, HIV/AIDS, and physical disabilities. Along with Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, he helped launch the mental health charity Heads Together. One of Harry’s most prominent achievements has been founding the Invictus Games in 2014. This international sporting event for wounded veterans and service members has been praised for inspiring recovery through the power of sport.
Meghan Enters His Life
Harry’s life took a momentous turn when he began dating American actress Meghan Markle in 2016. The couple kept their relationship secret at first before going public at the 2017 Invictus Games. They announced their engagement in November 2017 and tied the knot at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018. Meghan became the Duchess of Sussex upon marrying Harry. Their fairytale royal wedding was hailed for bringing a breath of fresh air into the monarchy. As a biracial, divorced American, Meghan diversified the traditionally white royal family.
Stepping Back as Senior Royals
In January 2020, Harry and Meghan made the unprecedented decision to step back from their roles as senior working royals. After months of intense media scrutiny in the British tabloids, the couple chose to become financially independent and split their time between North America and the UK. The Queen supported their desire for a more progressive royal role focused on their own charitable activities. As part of the agreement finalized in 2021, Harry and Meghan ceased using their HRH titles and royal patronages.
Embracing Life in California
After a brief stay in Canada, Harry and Meghan moved to California in March 2020. They resided for a time in media mogul Tyler Perry’s mansion before purchasing their own home in Montecito. In June 2021, Meghan gave birth to their second child, daughter Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, who joined older brother Archie Harrison. Away from the pressures of royal duties, the Sussexes have embraced their new lives in California. They signed lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify to produce their own documentaries, podcasts, and children’s content while continuing charity work.
The Evolving Role of Duke of Sussex
When Harry married Meghan in 2018, his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II granted him the title Duke of Sussex. As the first member of the royal family to reside long-term overseas, Harry’s role as a British duke has greatly evolved. He and Meghan no longer carry out official engagements or have an office at Buckingham Palace. However, they do maintain their own royal foundation, Archewell, focused on social issues like racial justice, gender equity, climate change, mental health, and empowering diverse voices.
While no longer a working royal, Harry remains passionate about making a positive difference in the world. He continues to champion the Invictus Games, serve as president of African Parks, and partner with organizations like WellChild. As Duke of Sussex, Harry may be forging a new path, but he still holds onto his royal roots through service. By stepping back, Harry now has the freedom to support causes he cares about on his own terms. His royal role is now less defined by protocol and more driven by compassion. I sincerely hope you find this “Prince Harry’s Royal Journey- How Has His Role as Duke of Sussex Evolved?” article helpful.
