The Life and Public Role of Prince Harry: From Royal Birth to Global Advocate
Prince Harry, born Henry Charles Albert David on September 15, 1984, is a member of the British royal family, sixth in line to the throne. As the younger son of Charles, Prince of Wales, and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, his life has been subjected to intense public scrutiny from his birth. Over the years, Prince Harry has evolved from a royal enfant terrible into a vocal advocate for various humanitarian causes, and with his marriage to Meghan Markle, he has further defined a more independent public persona. This article seeks to overview his journey while delineating his contributions, challenges, and current efforts towards global advocacy.
Early Life and Education
Prince Harry was born at St Mary’s Hospital in London as the second child of Charles and Diana. His early years were marked by a seemingly typical royal upbringing alongside his older brother William. He attended independent schools like Wetherby School and Ludgrove School before completing his education at Eton College. These formative years were not without trauma; at the age of 12, he faced the tragic death of his mother in 1997, an event that had profound effects on his personal life and public perception.
Military Service and Public Duties
Following in the footsteps of many royals before him, Prince Harry embarked upon a military career. He entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2005 and was commissioned as a Cornet in the Blues and Royals a year later. His two tours to Afghanistan – one in 2007-2008 as a forward air controller and another in 2012-2013 as an Apache helicopter co-pilot and gunner – distinguished his ten-year military career.
Simultaneously balancing his royal duties, Prince Harry represented the Queen at various formal events both domestically and abroad. He also partnered with numerous charities, notably launching the Invictus Games in 2014 – an international sporting event for wounded, injured, or sick armed services personnel and veterans.
Marriage to Meghan Markle and Reshaping Public Roles
In May 2018, Prince Harry married American actress Meghan Markle. The wedding hailed a modern chapter for the monarchy by embracing a mixed-race, divorced American woman with her own professional career into the British royal family. However, it wasn’t without controversy or intense media scrutiny.
In early January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan announced their intention to step back from their role as senior members of the royal family and work towards financial independence while continuing their philanthropic pursuits. This decision resulted in the couple dropping their use of royal titles and relocating to North America.
Their independent entity Archewell was established as an organization to encompass their efforts across nonprofit work, creative media ventures, and community engagement. Since moving to the United States, they have further voiced strong opinions on social issues such as racial justice and mental health.
Global Advocacy and Charitable Work
Beyond his work with Invictus Games and Archewell Foundation, Prince Harry’s charitable engagements have spanned numerous issues. The sustainable travel initiative Travalyst aims to transform the industry into one less damaging to the environments it immersively displays. Additionally, his participation in drives like Sentebale, which supports vulnerable children in Botswana and Lesotho affected by HIV/AIDS, exhibit his sustained commitment.
Prince Harry’s activism also demonstrates an eagerness to open up discussions previously considered taboo within the context of royalty. His candidness about struggling with mental health challenges has credited him with de-stigmatizing these conversations globally.
Criticism, Controversy, and Speaking Out
The media’s role in Prince Harry’s life has been multifold. Although platforms have been given for advocacy, there’s been adverse impact too – particularly highlighted through battles with tabloid intrusion interfacing private affairs. The decision to part from Norton protocols has attracted criticism about breaking tradition amongst those protective of monarchical structuring.
Furthermore, since stepping back from royal responsibilities and moving abroad, Harry and Meghan conducted interviews revealing major rifts with certain members of the Royal Family and speaking out against structural insensitivity within Palace walls. Debate surrounding how they voice matters while earning independent income through media contracts invokes multi-spectral northerlies.