Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are back in the United Kingdom to fulfill their final responsibilities as senior members of the royal family. Following the festivities on Commonwealth Day, March 9, the couple will be returning back to Canada where their son, Archie Harrison, was left.
Despite the couple’s intent to provide themselves with a financially independent life away from the royal family and the crown, a close friend of Prince Harry has recently spoken out sharing that they believe the Duke of Sussex is going to have an emotionally hard time saying goodbye.
One of Prince Harry’s oldest friends had the opportunity to speak with Vanity Fair’s royal correspondent, Katie Nicholl about what they believed was going to unfold for the Duke of Sussex while he finished his last remaining duties.
“It’s an emotional time for him in many ways,” his friend shared with Nicholl. “I think in many ways it’s bittersweet. He’s always wanted to have a regular life and to get away from the spotlight, and that’s what he’s doing, but it basically means walking away from his family. Harry’s a loving, loyal guy so that will be very hard for him.”
It will no doubt be hard for the duke, but Ken Wharfe, one of the former bodyguards for Prince Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, shared that he believes his late-mother would have ‘applauded’ his desire to get out of the spotlight and protect his family from the harmful British media.
“Diana always said you have to make your own way in this family and Harry is doing that,” Wharfe said. The former bodyguard had a chance to watch both Prince Harry and Prince William grow up within the palace, so both of their wellbeings is important for him and what their mother would have wanted.
“I think she’d applaud him for what he’s doing but I think she would advise him to think very carefully about what he does next and to take some time,” Wharfe continued. “Harry has made the choice to go and now he has to start all over again and I suspect it’s going to be a long road. He effectively has to rebrand himself.”
“His mother used to say ‘I wish I was normal’ and I would say you can do normal things but you will never be normal. It’s the same for Harry,” he added, noting that there still would be sadness all around from him leaving in the manner he is.
“I know he was immensely proud to be a part of the royal family and to be able to continue his mother’s work,” Wharfe concluded. “He has also always had great respect for the queen. Harry was a key player in the royal family, he was always going to be. Now he’s leaving which is very sad for everyone involved.”
As of this writing, Prince Harry and Meghan will make several appearances over the next few days, culminating in the Commonwealth Day service being held at Westminister Abbey. From there, the couple will return home to Canada.
