Prince Harry has wrapped up his four-day trip to the UK where he completed a series of charity events and enjoyed a private tea with his father King Charles
Harry in Kyiv on a trip to Ukraine(Image: Global Images Ukraine via Getty)
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 tea with his distant father King Charles.
Whilst Harry has established his life in California alongside 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 persisted in dedicating his time to philanthropic endeavours globally.
Following his final commitment in London on Thursday, Harry then embarked on an unexpected journey to Ukraine to meet with veterans from the conflict-ravaged nation and provide his backing for rehabilitation efforts for those severely wounded in the prolonged conflict engulfing the country.
The Prince will undertake several duties while in Ukraine(Image: AP)
With the prince continuing to champion causes dear to him that were established during his tenure as a working royal, Royal commentator Jennie Bond reckons that 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,” reports the Mirror.
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle departed the Firm in 2020, it was alleged 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 maintains that despite this ultimatum, Harry has discovered a method to make both choices work in his favour, as he captivated audiences during his fleeting visit to the UK before returning to his American life with his family.
She remarked: “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?”
Prince Harry during an event for the Invictus Games last night after his meeting with the King(Image: Getty Images for The Invictus Ga)
Jennie continued by observing that whilst carrying out his charitable endeavours during his UK trip, Harry appeared completely at ease, 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 noted. “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 his family’s expectations, his charitable endeavours, and the continuing friction with the Royal family, Jennie believes Harry has succeeded in finding a way to seemingly have everything.
“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.”