Prince Harry has firmly declared he will always be part of the royal family, rejecting the suggestion that he is no longer a working royal. Speaking during a surprise visit to Ukraine, the Duke of Sussex delivered an impassioned appeal to both Vladimir Putin and American leadership to cease the ongoing conflict.
Harry's Statement on Royal Status
In an interview with ITV News, Harry stated: 'I will always be part of the royal family and I'm here working and doing the very thing that I was born to do, and I enjoy doing it.' He emphasized his role as a humanitarian and soldier, echoing the sentiments of his mother, Princess Diana, during her 1997 visit to Angola. Harry added: 'I enjoy being able to do these trips and come and support the people that I've met before, the friends that I've made, and hopefully bringing attention to issues that for one reason or another drop out of the news.'
Ukraine Visit and Global Implications
Harry's unannounced visit marks his third trip to Ukraine since the war began in 2022. He urged the US to 'honour its international treaty obligations' in maintaining global security. In response, former President Donald Trump remarked: 'I know one thing, Prince Harry is not speaking for the UK, that's for sure. I think I am speaking for the UK more than Prince Harry. But I appreciate his advice very much.'
Harry's trip comes just days before his father, King Charles III, embarks on a major state visit to the US to meet President Trump amid transatlantic tensions over the Iran conflict. When asked if his comments might affect the visit, Harry replied: 'Not at all.'
Call for Speaking Truth to Power
Harry urged people to 'speak up' against humanitarian crises. 'As a global community we need to feel empowered to be able to speak truth to power. It's really that simple,' he told ITV News. 'It's bad enough in today's world feeling gagged and saying that you can't say these things and can't say that and everything becomes political. I fundamentally disagree with that.'
He highlighted the need to address ongoing humanitarian catastrophes worldwide, encouraging more individuals to raise their voices. Harry's visit to Ukraine followed a tour of Australia with his wife, Meghan Markle, and included a brief transit through the UK without leaving the airport.
