Prince Harry opens up about sport 'healing and saving lives'
BBC Breakfast addressed speculation that Prince Harry could return to the UK "on a permanent basis" after ditching Great Britain for the USA with his wife Meghan Markle.
During a royal segment on the morning programme, hosts Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt handed over to correspondent Daniella Ralph to learn more, after Harry released a statement about turning 40.
In his statement to the BBC, Harry said: "I was anxious about 30, I’m excited about 40. Whatever the age, my mission is to continue showing up and doing good in the world."
He added: "Becoming a father of two incredibly kind and funny kids has given me a fresh perspective on life, as well as sharpening my focus in all my work. Being a dad is one of life’s greatest joys and has only made me more driven and more committed to making this world a better place."
On the programme, Daniella revealed: "In recent weeks there has been speculation that Harry’s next decade could include a return to the UK on a more permanent basis. But those who know him well have told me he has no interest in giving up the life he’s built in America."
She added: "As he heads into his 40s, though, there will be some strong reasons pulling him back to the UK. The Invictus Games for injured servicemen and women will be held in Birmingham in 2027. Created by Harry when he was 30, it remains a personal passion 10 years on."
Chief Executive of the Invictus Games Foundation, Dominic Reid, was on hand to admit: "He’s described it to me as his first child. It is a very important thing. I think it speaks very deeply to the soldier in him."
Later in the programme, Naga chatted to royal commentator Jennie Bond about Harry.
Jennie confessed: "He’s got what he wanted – he’s in America, he’s with the woman he loves, he’s got kids. He always wanted kids! He lives in the sunshine – yes, he’s had a massive rift with his family here, but I think he’s put that pretty much to one side.
"His statement to the BBC, which is unusual in itself, I must say… that he’s very excited about the next decade, I think it’s full of joy at being a parent and it confirms what I thought which is he’s happy in his new life!"
She went on to brand Harry a "very silly boy", slamming the "ruthless" accusations he's thrown at his family in the past few years. But in the same breath, Jennie said the UK's attitude to the prince is "extraordinarily petty".
She explained: "The narrative here in my view has become extraordinarily petty, which seems to deride everything that Harry and Meghan do. If Harry’s going to reflect on his life at 40, maybe we should reflect on what we say about them, because there is this tendency to rip them apart.
"Yes, he’s been a very silly boy in my view, he’s made some absolutely ruthless and devastating and damaging and hurtful accusations about his family. I don’t think he expected it to create such a terminal rift with William, and a very, very difficult path to reconciliation with his father."
