Prince Harry speaks out for the first time since shocking step-down

It’s been a tough few years for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Amidst hounding from the press, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their decision to step down from their royal duties to seek an independent and more private life. The decision has divided many people, with some being empathetic towards Harry and Meghan and some, less than supportive.

Since leaving the country up in arms by simply wanting to protect his family from the fate his own mother suffered, Harry has remained quiet. Until now.

Prince Harry spoke out during private dinner in London, saying, “our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the Commonwealth, and my military associations but without public funding. Unfortunately that wasn’t possible”. He referenced his mother as a factor in the decision to step away from his Royal duties and thanked the public for “taking [him] under [their] wing” after her death. He addressed the decision-making process, saying he did not take it lightly but he was ultimately left with “no other option”.

“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.” he said.

“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.”

“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.”

Harry went on to note his “utmost respect” for his grandmother, his “commander in chief”