Prince Harry spoke for the first time Sunday night after he and his wife made the shock announcement they were stepping back from royal duties and the Queen subsequently stripped them of the Royal Highness title.
He spoke at a charity dinner at Ivy Chelsea Garden in west London, in aid of his organisation, Sentebale, saying the UK will always be his home no matter what.
“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 past 35 years – but with a clearer perspective.
“The UK is my home and a place that I love. That will never change.
“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.
“I know you’ve come to know me well enough to trust that the woman I chose as my wife upholds the same values as I do, and she does.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
“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 months of talks after years of challenges.
“I know I haven’t always gotten it right, but as far as this goes, there was no other option.
“What I want to make clear is we’re not walking away. Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the commonwealth, and my military associations, but without public funding. Unfortunately that wasn’t possible.
“I hope it helps you understand what it had 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 an honour to serve my country and the Queen.”
According to a report by Daily Star, Harry added that he hoped the plans would help him, Meghan and Archie, their son have a more peaceful life.
