Things might be starting to mend between Prince Harry and the Royal Family, as he just took a playful swipe at them, suggesting their relationship isn’t as shaky as we think.
Speaking as a guest at the British-American Business Council’s 65th Annual Christmas Luncheon, held in Santa Monica, California, on Friday 5 December, Harry opened up about what it’s like being a royal and compared it to an iconic TV series.
“People sometimes ask if growing up with the Royal Family was a bit like Downton Abbey,” he said. “Yeah, but only one of those worlds is filled with drama, intrigue, elaborate dinners [and] marriages to Americans — and the other is a TV show.”
Harry then went on to share details of how his life has changed since leaving the UK (and stepping down as a senior royal) in favour of the US. “For me, being British isn’t about where you physically stand, but what you stand for,” the Duke of Sussex said.
Max Mumby/Indigo//Getty Images
One of the biggest differences, Harry said, was celebrating the Fourth of July. “It’s a new world to me, celebrating independence from Britain,” he explained. “And more specifically, independence from my great, great, great, great, great, great-grandfather.”
The Duke’s speech comes days after a surprise appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Wednesday 3 December. Explaining his appearance on the show, Harry joked that he’d got lost while looking for an audition to play a prince in a holiday rom-com.
“You Americans are obsessed with Christmas movies, and you’re clearly obsessed with royalty, so why not?” he teased.
Erm, tbh, we’d definitely watch a cheesy holiday rom-com starring Harry! Netflix, are you listening?
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Jade Biggs (she/her) is one of Cosmopolitan UK’s freelance writers, working across all sections including entertainment, beauty, body, and sex and relationships. She previously held the position of Features Writer, covering everything from breaking news and the latest royal gossip, to the health and fitness trends taking over your TikTok feed. Jade has a degree in journalism and has been a journalist and content editor for ten years, interviewing leading researchers, high-profile influencers, and industry experts in that time. She is a cat mom to four fur babies and is obsessed with Drag Race, bottomless brunches, and wearing clothes only suitable for Bratz dolls. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.