A new chapter in his life. Prince Harry’s journey to becoming a father was years in the making — and the royal has offered glimpses at how the major milestone has affected him.
The Duke of Sussex hinted at his plans to become a father amid his romance with Meghan Markle. “I, of course, I would love to have kids,” he told The Telegraph in 2017, noting that he has had practice as a godfather. “I’m a godfather to quite a few of my friends’ [kids]. Actually, only five or six.”
Harry continued: “I’d like to think [I am a good godfather]. But I think the key to that is to grow up, but also to be able to stay in touch with your childhood side. If that means going to someone’s house and sitting there and playing PlayStation and kicking the ass of their son or whatever it is, then I’ll try and do that. I’ve actually had a lot of practice for that.”
Later that year, Harry announced his engagement to Meghan after one year of dating. The couple tied the knot in 2018 and later expanded their family with son Archie.
For the Better Up CIO, his first child’s arrival sparked a shift in his view of the world.
“Since becoming a father, I feel the pressure is even greater to ensure we can give our children the future they deserve, a future that hasn’t been taken from them and a future full of possibility and opportunity,” Harry wrote in a June 2020 letter for African Parks’ annual report, referencing the coronavirus pandemic. “I want us all to be able to tell our children that yes, we saw this coming, and with the determination and help from an extraordinary group of individuals, we did what was needed to restore these essential ecosystems.”
Following his and Meghan’s decision to step back as senior members of the royal family in early 2020, the trio moved to California.
According to Harry, the move offered them the opportunity to live a more private life with their son. “I’m just unbelievably fortunate and grateful to have outdoor space and see Archie be able to be outside,” Harry said about Archie during an August 2020 video chat.
In June 2021, Harry and Meghan announced the arrival of their daughter. “On June 4th, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili,” they said in a statement at the time. “She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we’ve felt from across the globe. Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family.”
After watching his family grow, Harry gushed about his little girl. “Archie is very, very busy and Lili is learning to use her voice, which is great,” he said during a video call with WellChild Awards recipients in October 2022.
Scroll on for Harry’s most candid quotes about fatherhood: