Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is a member of the British royal family known for his military service, founding the Invictus Games, and his dramatic departure from royal duties with his wife Meghan Markle. He gained public attention in May 2026 after writing an essay for The New Statesman expressing his fears for a “divided kingdom” and urging Britain to stand against antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate, a move that drew sharp criticism from commentators who questioned his right to lecture the country he left behind.
Quick Facts
Full Name: Henry Charles Albert David
Age: 41 (born September 15, 1984)
Nationality: British
Occupation: Member of the British Royal Family (non-working), Philanthropist, Chief Impact Officer at BetterUp
Known For: Duke of Sussex; Invictus Games founder; stepping back from royal duties (“Megxit”)
Marital Status: Married to Meghan Markle (since 2018)
Children: Two – Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor (born 2019) and Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor (born 2021)
Early Life and Background
Prince Harry was born at St Mary’s Hospital in London on September 15, 1984, as the younger son of King Charles III (then Prince of Wales) and Diana, Princess of Wales. He was only 12 years old when his mother died in a car crash in Paris in 1997. The image of young Harry walking solemnly behind Diana’s casket with his brother William became an enduring memory that endeared him to the British public. He was educated at independent schools, including Wetherby School, Ludgrove School, and later Eton College.
Career and Achievements
Instead of attending university, Harry entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in May 2005. He was commissioned as an officer into the Blues and Royals in April 2006 and served two tours of duty in Afghanistan, first as a forward air controller in 2007–08 and later as an Apache helicopter pilot in 2012–13. He left active service in 2015, having attained the rank of captain.
In 2014, Harry founded the Invictus Games, an international sporting competition for injured and sick service personnel and veterans . The Games remain his signature achievement and a continuing passion project.
On May 19, 2018, Harry married American actress Meghan Markle at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in a ceremony that blended traditional British pomp with African American cultural elements. The couple became the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and have two children: Archie (born 2019) and Lilibet (born 2021).
Major Event or Controversy
In January 2020, Harry and Meghan announced they would “step back” from their roles as senior members of the royal family, seek financial independence, and split their time between the UK and North America. The decision, dubbed “Megxit” by the press, culminated in the couple losing their HRH titles and repaying £2.4 million of taxpayer money spent on renovating Frogmore Cottage.
Since relocating to Montecito, California, Harry has signed lucrative deals with Netflix (producing the documentary Harry & Meghan) and released his memoir Spare in January 2023, which detailed strained relationships with his father and brother, including an allegation that William physically assaulted him.
Why He Is In the News
Harry is currently facing criticism following his May 2026 essay in The New Statesman titled “My fears for a divided kingdom,” in which he addressed rising antisemitism in Britain following recent violent attacks on Jewish communities. Critics, including The Spectator, accused the Duke of “lecturing” from his £20 million Californian mansion, noting that while Harry writes from afar, his father King Charles has taken “practical solidarity” by becoming patron of the Community Security Trust, a charity protecting British Jews. One critic wrote: “Harry, if you were so worried about Britain, why did you leave?”.
Conclusion
Prince Harry is a former senior royal whose life has been defined by tragedy, military service, and a very public break from his family. His recent attempt to speak out on Britain’s social divisions has reignited debates about whether he still has the moral authority to comment on a country he chose to leave.
