Prince Harry speaks out over royal exit

By MiNDFOOD

Prince Harry has endured his own battle with mental health for years, but he's winning that fight by helping others. REUTERS
Prince Harry has addressed his resignation from royal duties, defending his decision during a speech at a charity event.

Speaking at a dinner organised for supporters of his HIV charity Sentebale on Sunday, the Duke of Sussex took the opportunity to tell his side of the story.

“Before I begin, I must say that I can only imagine what you may have heard or perhaps read over the past 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 now with a clearer perspective,” he said.

“The UK is my home and a place that I love. That will never change. I have grown up feeling supported 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 that 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 honour to serve my country and the Queen. When I lost my mum 23 years ago, you took me under your wing. You 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.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7hGUztJA0F/

It comes after Buckingham Palace released a statement outlining the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s new roles. 

The Palace revealed Harry and Meghan will no longer be referred to as His or Her Royal Highness. There will be no more royal duties for the couple from Spring 2020, with the Sussexes’ original request of earning their own money and continuing to work as members of the Royal Family being declined by the Queen.

There will be no income given to the couple from public funds, and they will repay the 2.4 million pounds of taxpayers’ money they used to renovate Frogmore Cottage, the home gifted to them by the Queen.

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