Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prince Harry |
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| Duke of Sussex | |||||
Harry in 2020
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| Born | Prince Henry of Wales 15 September 1984 St Mary's Hospital, London, England |
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| House | Windsor | ||||
| Father | Charles III | ||||
| Mother | Diana Spencer | ||||
| Education |
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| Military career | |||||
| Allegiance | United Kingdom | ||||
| Service/ |
British Army | ||||
| Years of active service | 2005–2015 | ||||
| Rank | See list below | ||||
| Service number | 564673 | ||||
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| Awards | Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan | ||||
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (born Henry Charles Albert David on 15 September 1984), is the younger son of King Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales. He is fifth in line to the British throne.
In 2018, Harry was made Duke of Sussex before his wedding to American actress Meghan Markle. They have two children, Archie and Lilibet. Harry and Meghan decided to step back from their roles as working royals in January 2020. They moved to Meghan's home in Southern California. There, they started Archewell Inc., a group of for-profit and non-profit organizations. In March 2021, Harry and Meghan had a famous TV interview with Oprah Winfrey. They also filmed Harry & Meghan, a Netflix show released in December 2022.
Contents
Early life of Prince Harry
Prince Harry was born in Paddington, London, on 15 September 1984. He is the second child of the Prince of Wales (who later became King Charles III) and his first wife, Diana, Princess of Wales. His family and friends called him "Harry" as he grew up. Harry and his older brother, William, lived at Kensington Palace in London. They also spent time at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire.
Their mother, Diana, wanted her sons to experience everyday life. She took them to places like Walt Disney World and McDonald's. She also took them to AIDS clinics and homeless shelters. Harry started going on official trips with his parents when he was young. His first trip overseas was to Italy in 1985. He also traveled with his family to Canada in 1991 and 1998.
Harry's parents divorced in 1996. The next year, his mother died in a car crash in Paris.
Education and learning
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Like his father and brother, Harry went to independent schools. He first attended Jane Mynors' nursery school in London. Then he went to Wetherby School. After that, he attended Ludgrove School in Berkshire. He passed his entrance exams and was accepted into Eton College. This was a different choice for the royal family. Usually, children from the Mountbatten-Windsor family went to Gordonstoun.
Harry finished his education at Eton in June 2003. He was known as a great athlete. He played competitive polo and rugby union. Harry also joined the Combined Cadet Force at Eton. In his last year, he became a cadet officer.
After school, Harry took a gap year. He spent time in Australia working on a cattle ranch as a jackaroo. He also played in a polo match there. He traveled to Lesotho, where he helped orphaned children. He also made a documentary film called The Forgotten Kingdom.
Military service
Harry completed his army officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He became a cornet in the Blues and Royals. He served with his older brother William for a short time. Harry was sent to Afghanistan twice. His first deployment was for ten weeks in Helmand Province in 2007–2008. His second was for twenty weeks in 2012–2013 with the Army Air Corps.
This made him the first member of the British royal family to serve in a war zone since his uncle Prince Andrew. Prince Andrew flew helicopters during the Falklands War. For his service, Harry received an Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan. His aunt Princess Anne gave him the medal in May 2008.
Harry was inspired by the Warrior Games in the United States. He started the Invictus Games in 2014. This event is for injured and sick service members and veterans. He is still involved with the games today. Two years later, Harry, his brother William, and sister-in-law Catherine started "Heads Together". This campaign helps raise awareness about mental health.
Life after military service
In 2021, Harry said his 10 years in the army (2005–2015) were "the happiest times in my life". Since leaving the army, he has stayed connected to the armed forces. He does this through the Invictus Games and other official duties. On 19 December 2017, he took over from his grandfather Prince Philip. He became the Captain General Royal Marines. In May 2018, he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy. He also became a Major in the British Army and a Squadron Leader in the Royal Air Force.
On 18 January 2020, Buckingham Palace announced a change. Harry would "step back from Royal duties". This included his official military appointments. In February 2021, the Palace confirmed that Harry would give up his role as Captain General Royal Marines. He also returned all his other honorary military appointments.
Personal life and family
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In mid-2016, Prince Harry began dating American actress Meghan Markle. They first appeared in public together in September 2017. This was at the Invictus Games in Toronto. Their engagement was announced on 27 November 2017. Many people were happy about a mixed-race person joining the royal family. On 19 May 2018, their wedding ceremony took place. It was held at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
The Duke and Duchess first lived at Nottingham Cottage in London. This is on the grounds of Kensington Palace. Later, they moved to Frogmore Cottage in Home Park near Windsor Castle. The cottage was renovated at a cost of £2.4 million. On 6 May 2019, their son, Archie, was born. Their office at Buckingham Palace closed on 31 March 2020. This was when the Sussexes stopped "undertaking official engagements in support of the Queen".
After living in Canada and the United States for some months, they bought a house. In June 2020, they bought a home in Montecito, California. On 4 June 2021, their daughter, Lilibet, was born. The Duke and Duchess have a Labrador named Pula. They also have two Beagles named Guy and Mamma Mia.
Harry's memoir
Harry's memoir, Spare, was published on 10 January 2023. It was released in 16 languages. It quickly became the UK's fastest-selling non-fiction book. It sold 400,000 copies on its first day. Harry announced that $1.5 million from the book's sales would go to the charity Sentebale. Also, £300,000 would be given to WellChild.
Public work and duties
At age 21, Harry became a Counsellor of State. This meant he could carry out some royal duties. On 6 January 2009, the Queen gave Harry and William their own royal household. Before this, their father's office handled their affairs. The new household announced they had an office at St James's Palace. This office would manage their public, military, and charity work.
In March 2012, Harry made an official visit to Belize. This was part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. He also visited the Bahamas and Jamaica. He then went to Brazil for the GREAT Campaign. Harry also played the tambourine and appeared in the music video for "Sing". This song was released in May 2012 to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee.
Between 9 and 15 May 2013, he made an official visit to the United States. The trip promoted help for injured American and UK troops. It also supported his own charities and British interests. He visited Washington, DC, Colorado, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. In October 2013, he made his first official tour of Australia. In May 2014, he visited Estonia and Italy.
In April 2018, Harry was named Commonwealth youth ambassador. He held this role until March 2020. That same month, Harry became a patron of Walk of America. This campaign helps veterans on a 1,000-mile trip across the US. The Prince was also appointed president of The Queen's Commonwealth Trust. This charity focuses on projects for children and prisoners. He remained president until February 2021.
In July 2018, Harry traveled to Dublin, Ireland, with his wife Meghan. This was their first overseas trip as a couple. In October 2018, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex went to Sydney. This was for the 2018 Invictus Games. This trip was part of a larger tour of Australia, Fiji, Tonga, and New Zealand.
During his visit to the Luengue-Luiana National Park, the Duke launched a new project. It was part of the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy. This project helps protect an "ancient elephant migration route". It aims to provide safe passage for elephants in the forest. In September and October 2019, they toured Southern Africa. This included Malawi, Angola, South Africa, and Botswana. Their infant son Archie traveled with them. This was their first official tour as a family. Harry completed 1,190 engagements between 2006 and 2019.
Stepping back from royal duties
In January 2020, the Duke and Duchess announced a big decision. They would step back from their roles as senior members of the royal family. They planned to divide their time between the United Kingdom and North America. A statement from the Palace confirmed their decision. Harry and Meghan would become financially independent. They would also stop representing the Queen in official duties.
Charity and humanitarian work
Helping people and the environment
In 2006, Harry visited Mants'ase Children's Home in Lesotho. He first visited this home in 2004. With Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, he started Sentebale: The Princes' Fund for Lesotho. This charity helps children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. He has supported many organizations. These include WellChild, Dolen Cymru, MapAction, and the London Marathon Charitable Trust. He left MapAction in 2019 and the London Marathon Charitable Trust in 2021.
In 2007, William and Harry organized the Concert for Diana. This concert honored their mother. It raised money for charities she supported, and for William and Harry's charities. In October 2008, Harry and his brother rode motorbikes across South Africa. This 1,000-mile trip raised money for Sentebale, UNICEF, and the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund. In September 2009, William and Harry created The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry. This allowed them to pursue their charity goals. Harry left this charity in June 2019.
In 2011, Harry joined Walking With The Wounded on a trip to the North Pole. In December 2013, he joined the charity's 200-mile trip to the South Pole. He walked with twelve injured service members from the UK, US, and Commonwealth. As a patron of Walk of Britain, he walked with the team in September and October 2015. To raise awareness for HIV testing, Harry took a live test on the royal family Facebook page in July 2016. He later attended the 21st International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa. On World AIDS Day, Harry and Rihanna helped promote HIV testing by taking the test themselves.
In December 2017, Harry was a guest editor for BBC Radio 4's Today program. He interviewed his father, former US president Barack Obama, and others. They discussed topics like youth violence, the armed forces, mental health, and conservation. On 27 December 2017, Harry became the new president of African Parks. This group works to protect nature. He had spent three weeks in Malawi with African Parks. He helped move 500 elephants to new homes. This effort helped repopulate areas where animals were lost due to poaching. Harry also helped move rhinos in the Okavango Delta. He later became a patron of Rhino Conservation Botswana. In July 2018, the Elton John AIDS Foundation announced a new project. The Duke of Sussex and Elton John launched MenStar. This group focuses on treating HIV infections in men.
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In May 2019, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with Harry's brother and sister-in-law, launched Shout. This is the UK's first 24/7 text service for people with mental health issues. In September 2019, the Duke launched Travalyst. This project encourages sustainable travel practices. It aims to "tackle climate change and environmental damage". It works with companies like Tripadvisor and Booking.com. The organization later partnered with Google in 2021. In October 2019, Harry and other royals voiced a Public Health England announcement. It was for the "Every Mind Matters" mental health program.
In February 2020, Harry recorded a new version of the song "Unbroken" with Jon Bon Jovi. The Invictus Choir provided backing vocals. The song was released on 27 March 2020. All money raised went to the Invictus Games Foundation. In April 2020, Harry launched HeadFIT. This platform offers mental support for armed forces members. It was developed with the Royal Foundation's Heads Together campaign. In June 2020, the Duke and Duchess supported the Stop Hate for Profit campaign. They encouraged company leaders to join the movement.
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In April 2021, Harry and Meghan were named campaign chairs for Vax Live. This event by Global Citizen aimed to increase COVID-19 vaccinations. They also supported a vaccine equity fundraiser. They wrote an open letter to drug company CEOs. They urged them to help solve the vaccine equity crisis. Later that month, Harry narrated "Hope Starts Here". This video from African Parks marked Earth Day. He urged groups to protect nature. He also honored his grandfather Prince Philip's work as a conservationist. He helped create Peak State, a mental fitness program. He publicly supported it in May 2021.
Like his mother, Harry has worked with the HALO Trust. This group removes dangerous items left by war, like landmines. He visited a minefield in Mozambique with the charity. He spent two days learning about their mine-clearing work. In 2013, he became a patron for the charity's 25th Anniversary Appeal. In April 2017, he hosted a reception at Kensington Palace. The UK government announced more money for de-mining efforts. In September 2019, he walked through a de-mining site in Angola. His mother had visited the same country 22 years earlier.
In September 2021, with First Lady Jill Biden, he hosted a virtual event for the Warrior Games. The games were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2021, he wrote an article for The Washington Post. He spoke against oil drilling in the Okavango River. In the same month, Harry and his wife wrote an open letter. With the Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom, they asked G20 leaders to speed up global COVID-19 vaccine distribution. In March 2022, they signed an open letter. It asked for free global access to COVID-19 vaccines. In April 2022, Harry launched an eco-travel campaign. Through his non-profit Travalyst, he encouraged sustainable travel.
Involvement in sports
Harry enjoys playing sports. He plays competitive polo, skiing, and motocross. Like his brother and father, he has played in polo matches to raise money for charity. Harry is also a big Rugby football fan. He supported England's bid to host the 2015 Rugby World Cup. He presented the trophy at the 2019 Challenge Cup finals for rugby league. In 2004, Harry trained as a Rugby Development Officer. He coached students in schools to help them learn the sport.
Between December 2016 and February 2021, he was a patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU). He was also a patron of the Rugby Football League (RFL). He had been the RFU's vice-royal patron since 2010.
In 2012, Harry launched Coach Core with his brother and sister-in-law. This program started after the 2012 Olympics. It offers apprenticeships for people who want to become professional coaches. In January 2017, Harry visited the Running Charity. He highlighted how sport helps homeless and vulnerable people. In June 2019, the Duke was at the launch of Made by Sport. This charity aims to raise money for sports in disadvantaged communities. Harry said that bringing sport to young people would save "hundreds of millions of pounds" in addressing youth issues.
Sussex Royal and Archewell foundations
In June 2019, it was announced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would leave The Royal Foundation. They would start their own charity foundation by the end of 2019. However, they would still work with Harry's brother and his wife on shared projects. One example is the Heads Together mental health initiative. In July 2019, Harry and Meghan's new charity was registered. It was called "Sussex Royal The Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex".
On 21 February 2020, it was confirmed that "Sussex Royal" would not be used as a brand name. This was after their decision to step back from public life. On 5 August 2020, Sussex Royal Foundation was renamed "MWX Foundation" and then closed the same day.
In April 2020, Meghan and Harry confirmed their new foundation. It would be called "Archewell". The name comes from the Greek word "arche", meaning "source of action". This is the same word that inspired their son's name. Archewell was registered in the United States. Its website officially launched in October 2020.
Oprah Winfrey interview
Harry and his wife were interviewed by Oprah Winfrey. This television special aired on CBS on 7 March 2021. Meghan talked about marriage, being a mother, and the pressures of public life. Harry joined her later. They discussed the challenges of moving to the United States in 2020. They also shared their plans for the future. The interview received a lot of attention and different reactions.
Titles, honors, and military ranks
Titles and styles
Harry was first known as "His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales". He used Wales as his last name for military purposes. He was known as "Captain Harry Wales" in the army.
On the morning of his wedding, Queen Elizabeth II gave him new titles. He became the Duke of Sussex. He also received the Earldom of Dumbarton and Barony of Kilkeel. So, he became known as "His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex". He uses the earldom in Scotland and the barony in Northern Ireland. On 18 January 2020, Buckingham Palace announced a change. After deciding to step back from royal duties, Harry and his wife would not use their Royal Highness styles in practice from 31 March 2020. They were not legally stripped of any titles.
Military ranks
United Kingdom
8 May 2005: Officer cadet, The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst- 13 April 2006: Cornet (Second Lieutenant), The Blues and Royals
- 13 April 2008: Lieutenant, The Blues and Royals
- 16 April 2011: Captain, The Blues and Royals
14 May 2018: Lieutenant Commander, Royal Navy- 14 May 2018: Major, Army
14 May 2018: Squadron Leader, Royal Air Force
Honors and awards
6 February 2002: Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
5 May 2008: Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan
6 February 2012: Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
4 June 2015: Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO)
6 February 2022: Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal
- Foreign honors
Appointments
- 13 October 2018 – 19 February 2021: Personal Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty The Queen (ADC)
- Fellowships
6 March 2012 – present: Honorary Fellow of the University of the West Indies
Former honorary military appointments
- United Kingdom
- 8 August 2006 – 19 February 2021: Commodore-in-Chief of Small Ships and Diving
- 3 October 2008 – 19 February 2021: Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington
19 December 2017 – 19 February 2021: Captain General Royal Marines
In February 2021, it was confirmed that Harry's honorary military appointments were returned to Queen Elizabeth II.
Canada
10 November 2009 – present: Honorary Canadian Ranger
Humanitarian awards
Harry's charity work has been recognized several times. In December 2010, the German charity Ein Herz für Kinder ("A Heart for Children") gave him the Golden Heart Award. This was for his "charitable and humanitarian efforts". On 7 May 2012, the Atlantic Council gave him its Distinguished Humanitarian Leadership Award. In August 2018, the Royal Canadian Legion gave him the 2018 Founders Award. This was for starting the Invictus Games. In October 2018, he received the RSA Badge in Gold. This is the organization's highest honor, for his work with injured veterans.
In July 2021, Harry and Meghan received the Change Champions award from Population Matters. This was for their decision to have two children. In February 2022, Harry and Meghan received the NAACP's President's Award. This was for their work on social justice and equality. In October 2022, the couple were named Ripple of Hope Award laureates. This was for their work on racial justice, mental health, and other social projects through Archewell.
Coat of Arms
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Film and TV appearances
| Year | Title | Network | Notes | Ref. |
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| 2004 | The Forgotten Kingdom: Prince Harry in Lesotho | ITN / ITV | Also producer | |
| 2012 | The Diamond Queen | BBC | ||
| 2014 | Harry's South Pole Heroes | ITV | ||
| 2016 | Our Queen at 90 | |||
| Elizabeth at 90: A Family Tribute | BBC | |||
| Prince Harry in Africa | ITV | |||
| 2017 | Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy | |||
| Diana, 7 Days | BBC | |||
| 2018 | Queen of the World | HBO | ||
| 2019 | Harry & Meghan: An African Journey | ITV | ||
| 2020 | Rising Phoenix | Netflix | ||
| 2021 | Oprah with Meghan and Harry | CBS | ||
| The Me You Can't See | Apple TV | Also producer | ||
| 2022 | Harry & Meghan | Netflix | ||
| Live to Lead | Executive producer and presenter | |||
| 2023 | Harry: The Interview | ITV1 | ||
| 60 Minutes | CBS | |||
| Prince Harry: In His Own Words | ABC | |||
| 2024 | Tabloids on Trial | ITV1 | ||
| Polo | Netflix | Executive producer | ||
| 2025 | With Love, Meghan |
Images for kids
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Prince Harry's signature.
See also
In Spanish: Enrique de Sussex para niños
