Prince Harry has always been a doting uncle to his older brother Prince William’s three children – and it seems he’s always had a knack for picking out the perfect presents
Prince Harry has written at length about his feelings toward his niece and nephews in his memoir ‘Spare'(Image: Getty Images)
Before his separation from the Royal family, Prince Harry took great joy in his role as an uncle to Prince William and Princess Kate’s three children. The Royal pair first welcomed Prince George in July 2013, followed by Princess Charlotte in May 2015, and their youngest, Prince Louis, arrived in April 2018.
In his memoir ‘Spare’, Harry reflects on becoming an uncle, writing: “I was an uncle. Willy and Kate had welcomed their first child, George, and he was beautiful.
“I couldn’t wait to teach him about rugby and Rorke’s Drift, flying and corridor cricket – and maybe give him a few pointers about how to survive life in the fishbowl.”
The Duke of Sussex advised the Royal Children to serve in the armed forces(Image: PA)
Harry expressed his delight at the arrival of Princess Charlotte, saying he was “thrilled to bits” and that he “couldn’t be happier for Willy and Kate”.
His affection was just as strong for Prince Louis. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
The Sun reported that Prince Harry marked Prince Louis’s christening with a thoughtful gift, a first edition of A.A Milne’s classic Winnie-The-Pooh, which reportedly cost him £8,000.
The Mirror reports, an insider told the newspaper, Sun: “One of Harry’s happiest childhood memories was being read a bedtime story by his mother.
“She loved all the old classics and Harry had the brilliant idea of starting a little library of first editions for Louis, Charlotte, and George to enjoy as they get older.”
Before Prince Louis was born, Prince Harry shared with the Mirror his hopes for Prince George and Princess Charlotte to experience a part of his own upbringing.
He expressed strong support for their potential future involvement in the Armed Forces: “I would definitely encourage George, and Charlotte if she wants to, to have some sort of involvement in the Armed Forces, guaranteed. It’s done no harm, just good, for me, and I know it’s the same for William,” he remarked.
He also offered advice as an uncle, emphasising the importance of enjoying their Royal roles despite the initial pressure: “As an uncle, you know, I would say enjoy the [royal] role, because at first it’s just pressure, pressure, pressure.
“If you’re going to be doing it and you’re having an effect on so many people then, if you smile, they’re smiling – and what’s the point of doing such a unique job without enjoying it?”
Now a father himself, Harry, along with Meghan Markle, welcomed Archie in May 2019 and Lilibet in June 2021.
The family resides in Montecito, California, and has seen their relationship with the Royal family diminish significantly.
The Sussexes, having made several allegations against the Royal establishment, are now virtually estranged from Harry’s family.
A significant rift has formed, with reports suggesting that the Sussexes have been ‘cut off’ by key members of the Royal family, including Prince William.
Archie and Lilibet have not been to the UK since 2022, and Lilibet, the younger of the two, has only met King Charles once.
Royal commentator Jennie Bond has highlighted a challenging aspect of Prince Harry and Meghan’s family dynamics, saying: “At the moment, the children don’t know any difference, but as they grow up Harry and Meghan will have some delicate manoeuvring to negotiate to explain the situation. It must be something that troubles Harry as a dad.”
Jennie further elaborated on the potential future scenarios for their children, stating: “Imagine Archie, aged 15, telling his friends, ‘My grandpa is/was King! And my uncle is/will be King too.’ But he hardly knew or met them. How sad… and Meghan would have to bear the brunt of the responsibility for that.”