Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
Ministerie van Defensie · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
Birth name	Henry Charles Albert David
Birth date	1984-09-15
Birth place	St Mary's Hospital, London
Title	Duke of Sussex
Father	Charles, Prince of Wales
Mother	Diana, Princess of Wales
Spouse	Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
Children	Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex is a British member of the extended British royal family, a veteran of the British Armed Forces, and a public figure known for philanthropic work and media projects. He is the younger son of Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales and has been central to debates on modernizing the House of Windsor, media privacy, and royal duties. His life has intersected with institutions including the Commonwealth, Kensington Palace, and international charities.

Early life and family

Born at St Mary's Hospital, London in 1984, he is the younger child of Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales, grandson of Elizabeth II and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and a member of the House of Windsor. His early childhood included residences at Kensington Palace and Highgrove House, and public attention intensified after the death of his mother in 1997 following a crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel. Family relationships involved connections to Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, the Spencer family, the Mountbatten family, and extended ties to the Welsh Guards and the Royal Family. Childhood milestones were observed at institutions such as Eton College, Windsor Castle, and public ceremonies at Westminster Abbey and St George's Chapel.

Education and military service

He attended preparatory schools including Jane Mynors' Nursery School, Wetherby School, and Ludgrove School before joining Eton College for secondary education. Post-Eton, he undertook military training at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and commissioned into the Blues and Royals regiment of the Household Cavalry. His service included operational deployments with the British Army to Afghanistan under the Operation Herrick designation and postings to units associated with Army Air Corps aviation. Training encompassed courses held by Defence Academy of the United Kingdom affiliates and joint operations with NATO partners such as United States Armed Forces, reflecting ties to institutions like Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) and regimental associations including the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst alumni network.

Public duties and royal role

As a working royal, he undertook patronages with charities and organizations including Sentebale, Invictus Games Foundation, and The British Red Cross. He represented the royal family on overseas tours to countries within the Commonwealth of Nations such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa and attended state events at venues like Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and Holyrood Palace. He took part in commemorations at sites including the Tower of London and provided support to veterans through partnerships with organizations like Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes. His role intersected with royal structures including the Privy Council, ceremonial duties tied to the Order of the Garter, and interactions with political offices such as 10 Downing Street during state visits.

Marriage, family life, and personal relationships

In 2018 he married Meghan Markle, an American actress known for Suits (TV series), in a ceremony at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. The marriage created transatlantic links to institutions including Hollywood, the United Nations, and civil society organizations across the United States. Their children, born in United Kingdom and the United States, are Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor. Family relationships involved extended contact with members of the Windsor and Mountbatten families and public interactions with figures such as Kate, Princess of Wales and public institutions like Kensington Palace and Frogmore Cottage.

Media, philanthropy, and public initiatives

He co-founded and supported initiatives including the Invictus Games for wounded veterans and Sentebale for vulnerable youth in Lesotho. Media engagement included partnerships with broadcasters such as the BBC, ITV, and Netflix, and collaborations with journalists from organizations like The Daily Telegraph, The Sun, and The Times. Philanthropic efforts connected him with foundations such as The Royal Foundation and charities like Place2Be, Smart Works, and Mayhew. He worked with public health campaigns linked to World Health Organization themes and veterans' mental health programs in coordination with entities such as Heads Together and academic centers at King's College London.

Departure from senior royal duties and move to the United States

In 2020 he and his spouse announced an intent to step back from senior roles within the Royal Family, a decision framed by discussions with representatives of Buckingham Palace and public offices including 10 Downing Street. The transition involved relocation to North America, initially to Canada and later to California, United States, with residences in locations associated with Montecito and professional ties to American institutions such as Archwell Foundation and media partners in Los Angeles. The change affected arrangements related to funding from the Sovereign Grant, staffing within royal households, and security coordination with agencies including Metropolitan Police Service and United States Secret Service.

Publications, media projects, and public controversies

He has authored and been the subject of works including memoirs and collaborations with publishers like Penguin Random House and production deals with Netflix and Spotify. High-profile interviews and documentaries involved broadcasters such as ITV, Oprah Winfrey on CBS, and projects with filmmakers linked to festivals like Sundance Film Festival. Public controversies have included disputes with tabloid publishers such as News Group Newspapers and Trinity Mirror, legal actions in High Court of Justice and coverage by outlets like MailOnline, Daily Mail, and The Guardian. Debates also engaged institutions such as Parliament of the United Kingdom and regulatory bodies including Independent Press Standards Organisation over press conduct, privacy, and harassment.

Category:House of Windsor Category:British princes Category:People educated at Eton College