Surprise Appearance in Ukraine

Prince Harry made an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Friday, April 24, where he joined humanitarian efforts focused on landmine clearance near Bucha. The visit was conducted alongside the HALO Trust, an organization working to remove unexploded landmines from conflict zones.

During the trip, Harry spoke about his ongoing commitment to humanitarian work and the causes he continues to support outside of official royal duties.

“I Will Always Be Part of the Royal Family”

In an interview with ITV, Prince Harry responded directly to the label “not a working royal,” which has been commonly used since he stepped back from royal duties in 2020.

“No. I will always be part of the royal family,” he said.

He added that he believes he is continuing the kind of work he was “born to do,” emphasizing his focus on humanitarian missions and global awareness campaigns.

Continuing His Humanitarian Work

Harry explained that he still enjoys visiting field projects and supporting organizations he has long been involved with. He said his goal is to draw attention to issues that often fade from public focus.

His work with HALO is closely tied to his mother, Princess Diana, who famously brought global attention to landmine dangers during a visit to Angola in 1997.

The Royal Exit in 2020

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced in January 2020 that they intended to step back as senior members of the royal family. They said they planned to split their time between the United Kingdom and North America while becoming financially independent.

Following discussions with senior royals, including King Charles and Prince William, Queen Elizabeth later confirmed that a “half-in, half-out” arrangement would not be allowed.

Growing Distance from the Royal Family

After moving to California in 2020, Harry and Meghan officially stopped carrying out royal duties. The relationship between the couple and the royal family has since remained strained.

Their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, the Netflix documentary series Harry & Meghan, and Harry’s memoir Spare further widened the public rift.

Trust Issues Within the Family

Royal commentators have suggested that trust remains a major barrier to reconciliation. According to royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith, there are ongoing concerns within the royal household about private discussions being made public.

This has reportedly made direct communication between Harry and senior royals more difficult.

Prince Harry has also been involved in legal disputes over his security arrangements in the United Kingdom, which were reduced after stepping back from royal duties.

He has previously stated that the issue has added strain to his relationship with his family and his ability to return safely to the UK with his children.

Desire for Reconciliation

Despite ongoing tensions, Harry has publicly expressed a desire for reconciliation with his family. In a BBC interview, he said he would “love reconciliation” and emphasized the importance of time, particularly in light of King Charles’ health challenges.

Continued Work Through Archewell

Alongside Meghan Markle, Prince Harry continues to run Archewell, their philanthropic foundation. The organization focuses on mental health, veterans’ support, gender equality, and humanitarian initiatives.