Prince Harry has lived in the US since stepping down from his royal duties in 2020, but even from across the pond, the prince still has a fond love for his country. Harry says “banter” in pubs and sports grounds, and a spirit of good-humoured “self-deprecation” is one of the best things about UK culture.
Last November, Harry wrote a reflection on his country in an essay that was published ahead of Remembrance events. The essay examined what it means to be British, with the prince highlighting some of his favourite aspects of life as a Brit. He penned: “The banter of the mess, the clubhouse, the pub, the stands – ridiculous as it sounds, these are the things that make us British. I make no apology for it. I love it.”
Regarding his life in the US, the prince has also revealed what the “most American” thing he now does is.
Speaking on a podcast about his experience of US culture, host Hasan Minhaj asked him: “What’s the most American thing you do now?” to which Harry replied: “Surf.”
In the Remembrance Day essay, former soldier Harry, who undertook two frontline tours to Afghanistan, described the privilege of serving alongside men and women from all four corners of the UK.
He called on people to remember “not only the fallen, but the living” who carry the “weight of war” and urges them to knock on veterans’ doors and “join them for a cuppa…or a pint” to hear their stories and “remind them their service still matters”.
Harry also made reference to the people of Ukraine.
Writing of the “resilience” and “fierce determination” of the Ukrainians he met while visiting the war-torn country, Harry adds: “There is a similar stoic spirit of self-deprecation and humour in Ukrainians, that I recognise more than any other, in us Brits.
“Though currently, I may live in the United States, Britain is, and always will be, the country I proudly served and fought for.”