Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, recently offered a rare glimpse into his personal life during the fifth Invictus Games in The Hague, Netherlands. In a heartfelt interview, he spoke candidly about his family, his mother’s legacy, and his dedication to service.
The Invictus Games, a sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women, hold a special place in Harry’s heart. He founded the Games in 2014, inspired by his own military service and his belief in the power of sports to heal and inspire.
“This Invictus family is the continuation of service,” Harry shared, emphasizing the profound impact the Games have on the participants. “So much of the sport is helping and healing them. What they are again proving to the rest of the world is that whatever you come up against, whether it’s physical or mental trauma, that you can actually get through.”
Among the inspiring athletes competing was U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Joelle Rodriguez, who was paralyzed in a 2014 car accident. Harry praised Rodriguez’s resilience and determination, highlighting his refusal to let adversity define him.
“A lot of people would have thought these are the cards I’m dealt, this is what I get, and I have to live with this,” Harry acknowledged, “And maybe you’ve taken it kind of slowly through life. You did the total opposite, man. You went all the way in.”
Rodriguez, participating in six events, embodies the indomitable spirit of the Games. His story, along with the hundreds of other athletes from 19 countries, underscores the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity.
During the interview, Harry also spoke warmly about his recent visit with his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
“It was great, it was really nice to see her,” he shared. “To be able to see her in some element of privacy was nice. We have a really special relationship; we talk about things that she can’t talk about with anybody else.”
He also revealed that his family, now based in California, has been warmly welcomed into their new community.
“We’ve been welcomed with open arms,” Harry expressed. “And it’s got such a great community up in Santa Barbara, so you feel like that’s home more for you.”
The most poignant moment of the interview came when Harry spoke about his late mother, Princess Diana, and the way her presence continues to resonate in his life.
Asked if he talks to his son, Archie, about his grandmother, Harry responded, “Yes, yeah, very much so. I don’t tell him all the stuff that happened, but certainly that this is Grandma Diana, and we’ve got a couple photos up in the house.”
Reflecting on his mother’s enduring influence, Harry confided, “For me, it’s constant. It has been over the last two years more so than ever before. It’s almost as though she’s done her bit with my brother and now she’s very much helping me get set up. That’s what it feels like.”
He added, “He’s got his kids, I’ve got my kids… the circumstances are obviously different, but… I feel her presence in almost everything that I do now. But definitely more so in the last two years than ever before.”
Harry’s heartfelt words offered a touching tribute to his mother’s legacy and revealed the deep personal connection he still feels with her. His interview provided a glimpse into the life of a man navigating fatherhood, service, and personal growth while honoring the memory of the extraordinary woman who continues to inspire him.
