Prince Harry has officially broken the silence surrounding his recent decision to exit the royal family alongside his wife, Meghan Markle.
While giving a speech at a recent dinner honoring Sentebale, an organization that supports the mental health of children who have been impacted by HIV in Lesotho and Botswana, Harry gave an impassioned speech explaining as much as he could about why he and Meghan have decided to step back from the royal family and to explain what the future will look like for the pair.
Harry began his speech by making a moving point: The UK is, and always will be, his home.
"Before I begin, I must say that I can only imagine what you may have heard or perhaps read over the last few weeks. …
“So I want you to hear the truth from me, as much as I can share — not as a prince, or a duke, but as Harry, the same person that many of you have watched grow up over the last 35 years — but with a clearer perspective.
“The UK is my home and a place that I love. That will never change.”
Harry then promptly dove right in, beginning by acknowledging the people who have loved him over the last three-plus decades: "I have grown up feeling support from so many of you, and I watched as you welcomed Meghan with open arms as you saw me find the love and happiness that I had hoped for all my life. Finally, the second son of Diana got hitched, hurray!
“I also know you’ve come to know me well enough over all these years to trust that the woman I chose as my wife upholds the same values as I do. And she does, and she’s the same woman I fell in love with.”
"We both do everything we can to fly the flag and carry out our roles for this country with pride. Once Meghan and I were married, we were excited, we were hopeful, and we were here to serve.
“For those reasons, it brings me great sadness that it has come to this.
“The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back, is not one I made lightly. It was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges. And I know I haven’t always gotten it right, but as far as this goes, there really was no other option.”
"What I want to make clear is we’re not walking away, and we certainly aren’t walking away from you. Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the commonwealth, and my military associations, but without public funding. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible.
“I’ve accepted this, knowing that it doesn’t change who I am or how committed I am. But I hope that helps you understand what it had to come to, that I would step my family back from all I have ever known, to take a step forward into what I hope can be a more peaceful life.
“I was born into this life, and it is a great honor to serve my country and the Queen.”
"When I lost my mum 23 years ago, you took me under your wing. You’ve looked out for me for so long, but the media is a powerful force, and my hope is one day our collective support for each other can be more powerful because this is so much bigger than just us.
“It has been our privilege to serve you, and we will continue to lead a life of service.
“It has also been a privilege to meet so many of you, and to feel your excitement for our son Archie, who saw snow for the first time the other day and thought it was bloody brilliant!”
"I will always have the utmost respect for my grandmother, my commander in chief, and I am incredibly grateful to her and the rest of my family, for the support they have shown Meghan and I over the last few months.
“I will continue to be the same man who holds his country dear and dedicates his life to supporting the causes, charities and military communities that are so important to me.
“Together, you have given me an education about living. And this role has taught me more about what is right and just than I could have ever imagined. We are taking a leap of faith — thank you for giving me the courage to take this next step.”
Harry then shifted the topic to the goal of the evening: celebrating Sentebale and the work the organization has accomplished. Harry also made it clear that while he is stepping back from some royal duties, he will continue to work with the organizations that are important to him.
"My work and commitment for this charity, that I founded 14 years ago now, will never falter.
“I and all those at Sentebale, be it here in London, Lesotho or Botswana — will continue the work to make real long-lasting impact for all those that have been left vulnerable.”
You can read a transcript of the entire speech at Town & Country.
