Prince Harry Speaks Out In First Speech Since Departing From Royal Family: “There Was No Other Option”

Prince Harry Speaks Out In First Speech Since Departing From Royal Family: “There Was No Other Option”

The Duke of Sussex is no longer. It has been just a few weeks since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their shocking decision to step away from their royal duties. 

Harry’s grandmother, the Queen Elizabeth, later issued a message of support for their decision, stating:

“Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family. My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.”

Prince Harry, Meghan Sparkle

Yesterday, (1/19/20) Prince Harry spoke out for their first time since the announcement, confirming his and Meghan’s departure:

“…I want you to hear the truth from me, as much as I can share – not as a Prince, or a Duke, but as Harry, the same person that many of you have watched grow up over the last 35 years – but with a clearer perspective…you’ve come to know me well enough over all these years to trust that the woman I chose as my wife upholds the same values as I do. And she does, and she’s the same woman I fell in love with. We both do everything we can to fly the flag and carry out our roles for this country with pride. Once Meghan and I were married, we were excited, we were hopeful, and we were here to serve. For those reasons, it brings me great sadness that it has come to this.”

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

He continued:

“The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back, is not one I made lightly. It was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges. And I know I haven’t always gotten it right, but as far as this goes, there really was no other option. What I want to make clear is we’re not walking away, and we certainly aren’t walking away from you. Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the commonwealth, and my military associations, but without public funding. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible. I’ve accepted this, knowing that it doesn’t change who I am or how committed I am. But I hope that helps you understand what it had to come to, that I would step my family back from all I have ever known, to take a step forward into what I hope can be a more peaceful life. I was born into this life, and it is a great honor to serve my country and the queen. It has been our privilege to serve you, and we will continue to lead a life of service.”

Read the speech in its entirety here.

In the meantime, Meghan Markle has, reportedly, secured a voice-over deal with Disney. This could be thanks in large part to Prince Harry’s pitch to the company’s CEO, Bob Iger.

What do you think of Prince Harry’s and Meghan Markle’s decision? Let us know in the comments.

Written by Miata Shanay