Prince Harry confirms he won’t return to royal duties, citing press interference

Prince Harry expresses doubts about resuming royal duties

Since Prince Harry stepped back from his royal duties over four years ago, there has been ongoing speculation about whether the Duke of Sussex would be willing to return to the UK to officially represent the crown again.

Harry has emphasised that, even while operating outside the monarchy, he remains committed to a “life of service” and continues to support the charities and causes that are important to him, including Sentebale and the Invictus Games.

The discussion about Harry returning in a part-time capacity arose again when King Charles and Princess Kate were undergoing cancer treatment and unable to fulfill their public duties.

Although royal sources quickly dismissed this possibility, Harry returned to the UK to visit his father shortly after the announcement of the monarch’s condition. He later expressed gratitude for the chance to see Charles, despite the fact that the two have not reunited since.

When Harry’s memoir, Spare, was released in early 2023, he was directly asked about the possibility of his return during a promotional interview. The Duke of Sussex summed up his feelings on the matter with a straightforward eleven-word reply: “No. I don’t think it is ever going to be possible.”

He then went on to explain, “Even if there is an agreement or an arrangement between me and my family, there is that third party that is going to do everything they can to make sure that isn’t possible. Not stopping us going back, but making it unsurvivable.”

The third party in question is the British press, with whom Harry has launched multiple legal actions against in the last few years.

During his interview with Good Morning America, despite his reservations about returning to the royal fold in terms of official duties, he expressed his hope for “reconciliation” with his brother Prince William, and other members of the family.

“I hope that we will be joined at the hip again,” the Duke of Sussex added, claiming that in his opinion: “Because, you know, if there’s something that will terrify the British press more than anything, it’s William and I being aligned.”