Prince Harry has just wrapped up his rare UK visit, and the Duke of Sussex made a surprise trip to Ukraine immediately after – and it seems the royal has a message for the Firm
Prince Harry (Image: Getty Images for The Invictus Ga)
Prince Harry has wrapped up his uncommon four-day visit to his homeland, completing a string of charitable commitments and enjoying a 55-minute private afternoon tea with his distant father King Charles.
Whilst Harry has established his life in California alongside his wife Meghan Markle and their two youngsters, Archie and Lilibet, since departing the Firm in 2020 before moving to America, the Duke of Sussex has remained dedicated to his charitable work across the globe.
Following his final commitment in London on Thursday, Harry then made an unexpected journey to Ukraine to meet with veterans from the conflict-ravaged nation and provide his backing for rehabilitation efforts supporting those severely wounded in the prolonged conflict engulfing the country.
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And with the prince continuing to champion causes dear to him that were established during his period as a working royal, Royal expert Jennie Bond believes the Duke of Sussex has created his own framework regarding his professional activities.
The former BBC Royal correspondent told the Mirror.: “Harry never ceases to surprise us these days! Everyone assumed he was flying straight back to California and now there he is in Ukraine.
“You have to hand it to him, he is finding the halfway house the Palace refused to allow him- and he’s doing it on his own terms.”
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle departed the Firm in 2020, it was suggested he was compelled to choose between staying in the UK as a working royal, or cutting ties entirely and pursuing a private existence.
However, Jennie argues that despite this ultimatum, Harry has discovered a method to make both choices work in his favour, as he charmed his way across the UK during his fleeting visit before heading back to his American life with his family.
She said: “Could it not have worked, half in half out? He is the spare, he isn’t going to be King, so why couldn’t they have worked out some sort of compromise?”.
Jennie continued by saying that whilst carrying out his charitable endeavours during his UK trip, Harry appeared to be in his element, demonstrating what a “great loss” his absence from the Royal family, and his homeland, has been.
“He is so damned good at the job and this week he really seemed to be enjoying himself,” she said. “He’s a natural with the crowds: funny, informal, charming.
“This week has shown what a great loss he is. But as far as the Palace is concerned, it seems the basic conundrum remains: how can a working member of the royal family, even a part-timer, also operate in the commercial world?”.
Despite balancing the demands of his family, his charitable endeavours, and the continuing friction with the Royal family, Jennie reckons that Harry has succeeded in finding the solution to apparently have it all.
“Perhaps Harry has now come up with the answer: short, busy trips like the one he’s just done on his own terms and with his own security, and then back to his celebrity life in California with the wife and family he loves so much.”