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Privacy Notice As he prepares to celebrate his 40th birthday on 15 September, Prince Harry will surely be full of gratitude for the life he has built for himself away from the Royal Family – a happy home with his wife and two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. And while Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back from their roles as senior royals has not been plain sailing, a leading expert looks at why fatherhood has been the making of Harry. “I think he is relishing his role as a parent and playing the fullest part he can in the lives of his two tots,” former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond says. “He’s lucky enough to be able to share most of their lives so I’m sure Harry is a devoted dad and no stranger to nappy changing or school runs. I think he finds the security and anchor in his little family that was sadly missing in his own broken childhood home.”
Harry and Meghan with their children Archie and Lilibet
(Image: Netflix)
It is true that his and Prince William’s upbringing was not always a happy one and was punctuated by a steady stream of emotional turmoil brought about by his parents’ messy separation and their very public take-downs of one another. “It’s hard to know exactly when the damage wrought by his parents’ broken marriage began to make its mark on Harry,” Jennie muses. “He was only eight when Charles and Diana officially separated, but he had witnessed the marital difficulties long before that. I’m sure the insecurity of his own childhood has made him all the more determined to give his kids the perfect upbringing and to have them wrapped in a bubble of love and awareness of the love between their parents.”
Prince William and Prince Harry’s childhood was far from easy
(Image: Jayne Fincher/The Fincher Files/Popperfoto via Getty Images)
In breaking this cycle, the family’s departure has seen Archie and Lilibet spend very little time with relatives on both sides of their family — something made even more challenging when they are connected to the most famous family in the world and still sit at sixth and seventh in line to the throne. “This is the saddest part of their exile,” Jennie says. “At the moment, the children don’t know any difference, but as they grow up Harry and Meghan will have some delicate manoeuvring to negotiate to explain the situation. It must be something that troubles Harry as a dad.” Despite his ongoing legal battle over security, Harry has said he wants to raise his children with a clear understanding of both sides of his heritage. Jennie adds, “Imagine Archie, aged 15, telling his friends, ‘My grandpa is/was King! And my uncle is/will be King too.’ But he hardly knew or met them. How sad… and Meghan would have to bear the brunt of the responsibility for that.
Prince Harry and Prince Archie in 2019
(Image: Instagram)
“I’m sure that, like Harry, she wants the very best for their children… and that will include an understanding of their background. I just hope that by the time Archie and Lili grow up, things will be calmer and the family more united, even if they continue to live thousands of miles apart. This is not the children’s fault or responsibility so let’s hope the adults can make it a better world for the next generation of royals.” Both Harry and Meghan frequently give updates on their children. In an interview in February on Good Morning America, Harry said, “The kids are doing great, growing up like all kids do very, very fast. They’ve both got an incredible sense of humour and make us laugh and keep us grounded every single day, like most kids do. I’m just grateful to be a dad.”
Prince Harry has said he still turns to his mother’s memory for guidance
When it comes to raising his children, there is one person’s influence who plays an overriding role – his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. Often referencing her decision to break free of the monarchy as an inspiration, Harry continues to look to Diana when it comes to major life decisions — as well as for a guiding hand in how to raise Archie and Lilibet. “Her sense of fun, of mischief, of open affection and love for her boys must carry through to Harry in the way he is bringing up the children,” Jennie says. “She organised play days and work days for her sons… but Harry doesn’t have to worry about instilling that kind of discipline into his little ones and I think he will be delighted that they are free to choose their own way in life.”Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnPrince HarryHarry and MeghanMeghan MarklePrince ArchiePrincess LilibetRoyal Family
