Prince Harry’s Continued Connection to the Royal Family
Six years after stepping back from royal life, Prince Harry is making it clear that he still sees himself as part of the royal family. The Duke of Sussex, 41, shared this sentiment during a visit to Ukraine last Friday while speaking with ITV. He rejected the label of “not a working royal,” stating, “No. I will always be part of the royal family. I am here working, doing the things that I was born to do.”
Harry emphasized the importance of such trips in keeping vital causes in the public eye, even when news cycles shift. During his visit, he went to the city of Bucha to meet with the landmine clearance charity HALO and observe their latest de-mining technology. This cause holds personal significance for him, as his mother, Princess Diana, famously walked through a live minefield in Angola with the same organization in 1997—one of the most memorable moments of her humanitarian work.
How Did We Get Here?
In January 2020, Harry and Meghan announced they wanted to step back from senior royal duties, split their time between the UK and North America, and become financially independent. A pivotal meeting at Sandringham, known as the Sandringham Summit, was attended by then-Prince Charles, Prince William, and the late Queen Elizabeth. This led to an agreed one-year transition period.
When that year ended, the couple’s royal roles were officially over. The Queen made it clear that a half-in, half-out arrangement wasn’t possible. Harry and Meghan maintained that service could continue outside the institution, asserting that “service is universal.” They eventually settled in California.
The Fallout
Since then, relations have been strained. The Oprah interview, the Netflix documentary, and Harry’s memoir Spare all highlighted grievances that made reconciliation more difficult. Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith has noted that the core issue revolves around trust. “The King and William don’t trust Harry and Meghan with any kind of confidential conversation,” she previously told People magazine.
Harry also recently lost his court appeal to have his UK security restored—a matter he says has been a source of ongoing tension with his family. However, he has expressed a desire to repair things. In a BBC interview, he said he’d “love reconciliation” and added, “I don’t know how much longer my father has”—a reference to King Charles’s cancer diagnosis and ongoing treatment.
Life After the Palace
Through their Archewell foundation, Harry and Meghan have continued supporting veterans, mental health initiatives, and women’s rights. His Ukraine trip aligns with these efforts, and his words suggest he has no intention of walking away from his sense of royal identity, regardless of his official status.
Harry’s recent statements reaffirm his connection to the royal family, even as he continues his work outside its formal structure. Whether through humanitarian efforts or personal advocacy, he remains committed to the causes that define his role, both past and present.
