Prince Harry Opens Up About Living a Normal Life and His Mother's Influence
Photo: Getty.
On the new cover of Newsweek, Prince Harry appears silhouetted in profile. Inside, writer Angela Levin details her period of almost a year following the Prince to his various commitments and activities. The exclusive interview provides a rare glimpse into the Prince’s life and mind, and stands out for the sheer number of candid quotes included. Here, we break down the 14 most interesting ones. From how he looks back at his mother’s funeral to how he wants to make the most of this time before Prince George and Princess Charlotte further captivate the public’s attention, here is what we learned.
On Walking in His Mother’s Funeral Possession
“My mother had just died, and I had to walk a long way behind her coffin, surrounded by thousands of people watching me while millions more did on television. . . . I don’t think any child should be asked to do that, under any circumstances. I don’t think it would happen today.”
On Maintaining an Ordinary Life—And Grocery Shopping
“My mother took a huge part in showing me an ordinary life, including taking me and my brother to see homeless people. Thank goodness I’m not completely cut off from reality. People would be amazed by the ordinary life William and I live. I do my own shopping. Sometimes, when I come away from the meat counter in my local supermarket, I worry someone will snap me with their phone. But I am determined to have a relatively normal life, and if I am lucky enough to have children, they can have one too. . . . Even if I was king, I would do my own shopping.”
On His Own Struggles, and Helping Others
“My mother died when I was very young. I didn’t want to be in the position I was in, but I eventually pulled my head out of the sand, started listening to people, and decided to use my role for good. I am now fired up and energized and love charity stuff, meeting people and making them laugh. . . . I sometimes still feel I am living in a goldfish bowl, but I now manage it better. I still have a naughty streak too, which I enjoy and is how I relate to those individuals who have got themselves into trouble.”
On the World “Needing” the British Monarchy
“We don’t want to dilute the magic. . . . The British public and the whole world need institutions like it.”
On Sometimes Having “Too Much Passion”
“It has got me into trouble in the past, partly because I cannot stand the idea of people mincing around the subject rather than just getting on with it.”
On Modernizing the Monarchy Along With Prince William and Kate Middleton
“We are involved in modernizing the British monarchy. We are not doing this for ourselves but for the greater good of the people. . . . Is there any one of the royal family who wants to be king or queen? I don’t think so, but we will carry out our duties at the right time.”
On Focusing on a Smaller Number of Charities, But With a Greater Level of Involvement
“We use our time wisely . . . We don’t want to turn up, shake hands but not get involved.”
On Extending His Mother’s Legacy
“I intuitively know what my mother would like me to do and want to progress with work she couldn’t complete.”
On the Queen Passing Duties Over to Him and Other Young Royals
“The queen has been fantastic in letting us choose . . . She tells us to take our time and really think things through.”
On Teaming Up with His Brother, Kate Middleton, and the British Government to Reduce the Stigma Surrounding Mental Health Issues
“They have the money. We have the voice.”
On Evacuating Servicemen and -Women While Serving in Afghanistan
“You land, hand them over, and then are radioed to do something else . . . You never find out how that guy or girl lived or died.”
On Being Pulled Out of Active Duty for Security Concerns
“I felt very resentful . . . Being in the army was the best escape I’ve ever had. I felt as though I was really achieving something.”
On Princess Diana
“She had the most wonderful sense of humor and always wanted to make things fun for us, as well as protect us.”
On Using This Time Before Prince George and Princess Charlotte Take the Spotlight
He is in a rush “to make something of my life. I feel there is just a smallish window when people are interested in me before [William’s children] take over, and I’ve got to make the most of it.”
This story originally appeared on Vogue.
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