During his speech at The Ivy Chelsea Garden fundraiser in support of his charity Sentebale on Sunday, Prince Harry acknowledged the support he has received for 35 years now, while expressing his gratitude to Sentebale for the platform to focus after the death of his mother,
Princess Diana. Prince Harry founded the charity in 2016 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho as a means to support HIV-positive children and youth in Lesotho and Botswana.
In the heartfelt video, the Royal said:
“Before I begin, I must say that I can only imagine what you may have heard or perhaps read over the last few weeks…. So, 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 last 35 years – but with a clearer perspective. Finally, the second son of Diana got hitched, hurray! I also know you’ve come to know me well enough over all these years to trust that the woman I chose as my wife upholds the same values as I do. And she does, and she’s the same woman I fell in love with. We both do everything we can to fly the flag and carry out our roles for this country with pride. Once Meghan and I were married, we were excited, we were hopeful, and we are here to serve. It has also been a privilege to meet so many of you, and to feel your excitement for our son Archie, who saw snow for the first time the other day and thought it was bloody brilliant!
I will always have the utmost respect for my grandmother, my commander in chief, and I am incredibly grateful to her and the rest of my family, for the support they have shown Meghan and I over the last few months.I will continue to be the same man who holds his country dear and dedicates his life to supporting the causes, charities and military communities that are so important to me. Together, you have given me an education about living. And this role has taught me more about what is right and just than I could have ever imagined. We are taking a leap of faith – thank you for giving me the courage to take this next step. The UK is my home and a place that I love. That will never change. I have grown up feeling support from so many of you, and 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.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will split their time between the UK and North America as they begin to transition into their new independent life.
