Prince Harry Says "I Want You To Hear The Truth From Me" As He Speaks Publicly For The First Time About Royal Exit

Jan 20, 2020 by apost team

Prince Harry has opened up since he and wife Meghan Markle announced their stepping down from the royal family. The prince gave an impassioned speech at a dinner honoring an organization that supports the mental health of children. He spoke about what has been circulating in the tabloids and gave his side of the truth. 

Harry started of his speech by saying, “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.

"The UK is my home and a place that I love. That will never change," Harry said.

apost.com

Harry went on to defend his choice of Meghan and how he would not have chosen her as his wife if he did not believe she would be leading him astray. “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. 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.”

“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 so many months of talks after so many years of challenges. And I know I haven’t always gotten it right, but as far as this goes, there really was no other option.”

However, Harry stands by his choice and makes clear that he and Meghan are not simply 'quitting' royal life because it got a little hard. "What I want to make clear is we’re not walking away, and we certainly aren’t walking away from you. Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the commonwealth, and my military associations, but without public funding. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible," he said. 

I’ve accepted this, knowing that it doesn’t change who I am or how committed I am. But I hope that helps you understand what it had to 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 a great honor to serve my country and the Queen.”

“When I lost my mum 23 years ago, you took me under your wing. You’ve looked out for me for so long, but the media is a powerful force, and my hope is one day our collective support for each other can be more powerful because this is so much bigger than just us.

It has been our privilege to serve you, and we will continue to lead a life of service. 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.”

Harry's speech comes after the Queen released a statement saying how Meghan and Harry will not only be allowed to be financially independent of the crown but they will also lose their HRH titles. In addition to being stripped of their royalties, the couple will also have to repay the money to refurbish their estate in the U.K. -- Frogmore Cottage. 

What do you think of Harry's speech? Tell us your thoughts below. Pass this article on to your friends and family to see what they think.