Brief Introduction of Prince Harry
Prince Harry, officially known as Prince Henry Charles Albert David, Duke of Sussex, is a prominent member of the British royal family, widely recognized for his military service, extensive philanthropic work, and his marriage to American actress Meghan Markle. Born into one of the world’s most scrutinized families, Harry has carved a distinctive path, evolving from a young royal to a global advocate for mental health and wounded veterans. Since stepping back as a senior working royal in 2020, he and his wife have embarked on new ventures, including the establishment of Archewell Inc., focusing on media production and charitable initiatives, further defining his public persona and legacy.
Prince Harry Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Henry Charles Albert David Mountbatten-Windsor |
| Commonly Known As | Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex |
| Date of Birth | September 15, 1984 |
| Age (as of August 2025) | 40 years old |
| Birthplace | St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London, England |
| Parents | King Charles III (father), Diana, Princess of Wales (mother) |
| Siblings | William, Prince of Wales (elder brother) |
| Spouse | Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex (m. May 19, 2018) |
| Children | Prince Archie of Sussex (b. May 6, 2019), Princess Lilibet of Sussex (b. June 4, 2021) |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) or 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Current Profession | Philanthropist, Author, Media Producer |
| Net Worth (estimated as of 2025) | Approximately $60 million USD |
| Line of Succession | Fifth in line to the British throne |
Early Life and Education of Prince Harry
Prince Harry was born Henry Charles Albert David on September 15, 1984, in the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, England, as the second child of Charles, Prince of Wales (now King Charles III), and Diana, Princess of Wales. He was christened on December 21, 1984, at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, and was commonly referred to as “Harry” by his family and the public from a young age.
Harry and his elder brother, Prince William, were raised primarily at Kensington Palace in London and Highgrove House in Gloucestershire. Their mother, Princess Diana, sought to provide her sons with a more grounded upbringing than previous royal children, taking them to places like Walt Disney World and McDonald’s, alongside visits to AIDS clinics and homeless shelters.
His early education began at Jane Mynors’ nursery school, followed by Wetherby School and Ludgrove School in Berkshire. Following his brother’s footsteps, Harry attended Eton College, a prestigious boarding school, from which he graduated in 2003. Despite media speculation, Harry chose not to attend university, a decision he has stated he never regretted, opting instead for a military career.
After completing his studies at Eton, Harry took a gap year. During this time, he worked on a cattle station in the Australian Outback and volunteered at an orphanage for children whose parents had died of AIDS in Lesotho, Southern Africa.
Prince Harry’s Career
Military Service
Prince Harry’s career path significantly diverged from the traditional royal trajectory with his dedicated military service. He passed the Regular Commissions Board (RCB) in September 2004 and entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in May 2005, where he was known as Officer Cadet Wales. In April 2006, he completed his officer training and was commissioned as a Cornet (second lieutenant) in the Blues and Royals, a regiment of the Household Cavalry. He was promoted to Lieutenant in April 2008 and to Captain in April 2011.
Harry served twice on active duty in Afghanistan. His first deployment was for ten weeks in Helmand Province during 2007-2008. He returned for a twenty-week deployment in 2012-2013 with the Army Air Corps, where he served as an Apache helicopter pilot. Harry described his ten years (2005–2015) in the army as “the happiest times in my life.” He resigned from the army in June 2015.
Post-Military and Charitable Work
Following his military service, Prince Harry became deeply involved in initiatives supporting wounded servicemen and women. Inspired by the Warrior Games in the United States, he founded the Invictus Games in 2014, an international adaptive multi-sport event for injured, wounded, and sick armed services personnel and veterans. He remains a founding patron of its Foundation, ensuring its legacy and expansion. The Invictus Games have been held in various cities globally, including London (2014), Orlando (2016), Toronto (2017), Sydney (2018), The Hague (2022), and Düsseldorf (2023), with Vancouver and Whistler (2025) and Birmingham (2027) slated as future hosts.
In 2016, alongside his brother Prince William and sister-in-law Catherine, he jointly launched the mental health awareness campaign “Heads Together”.
Post-Royal Life and Ventures
In January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their decision to step back as senior working members of the British royal family, seeking financial independence and a more private life. They subsequently moved to Meghan’s native Southern California and launched Archewell Inc., a multifaceted organization encompassing a non-profit charitable foundation and for-profit media production divisions (Archewell Audio and Archewell Productions). Their mission for Archewell is centered on “showing up and doing good,” with a focus on mental health, community building, and supporting families, youth, race, and gender initiatives.
Through Archewell Productions, the couple signed lucrative deals with streaming giants. They initially secured a $100 million multi-year deal with Netflix in late 2020, which was extended in August 2025, although the new arrangement is less exclusive than the original. Their productions for Netflix include the docuseries “Harry & Meghan” (2022), “Live to Lead” (2022), “Heart of Invictus” (2023), “Polo” (2024), and “With Love, Meghan” (2025). They also had a multi-year deal with Spotify in 2020, producing the podcast “Archetypes,” but parted ways with the company in 2023.
In January 2023, Prince Harry released his highly anticipated memoir, “Spare,” which quickly became the fastest-selling non-fiction book in history, selling over 1.4 million copies on its first day. The book was part of a reported four-book publishing deal with Penguin Random House, estimated to be worth $20 million.
Prince Harry Personal Life & Family
Prince Harry’s personal life garnered significant global attention, particularly his relationship with and marriage to American actress Meghan Markle. The couple began dating in mid-2016, and their relationship was publicly confirmed by Harry in late 2016 as he expressed concerns over media treatment of Meghan. Their engagement was announced in November 2017.
On May 19, 2018, Prince Harry married Meghan Markle at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. Upon their marriage, Queen Elizabeth II bestowed upon him the title Duke of Sussex, making Meghan the Duchess of Sussex.
The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, on May 6, 2019, in London. Their second child, a daughter named Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, was born on June 4, 2021, in California, named in honor of Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana. Following their step back from royal duties, the family relocated to Montecito, California, in June 2020, where they purchased a $14.65 million estate.
Since their move, Harry and Meghan have emphasized creating a private and normal upbringing for their children. While Archie and Lilibet initially did not receive prince and princess titles at birth, they began using them after King Charles III ascended the throne in 2022. The family has adopted “Sussex” as their surname. Reports indicate that Prince Harry is keen for his children to experience British education and connect with their UK roots, though security concerns remain a barrier to a full return to the UK.
Awards and Achievements of Prince Harry
Prince Harry’s dedication to service and philanthropy has earned him numerous accolades and recognitions throughout his career.
- Military Honours: During his decade of service in the British Army, he rose to the rank of Captain.
- Founder of the Invictus Games: One of his most significant achievements is the founding of the Invictus Games in 2014, a Paralympic-style event for wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women. He remains a patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, which ensures the continuation and expansion of the event.
- Heads Together Campaign: In collaboration with his brother Prince William and sister-in-law Catherine, he co-founded the “Heads Together” mental health awareness campaign in 2016, aiming to tackle the stigma around mental health.
- Patronages: Harry holds patronage for several other organizations, including the HALO Trust, a mine-clearing charity previously supported by his mother, Princess Diana, and Walking With The Wounded, which supports injured veterans.
- Duke of Sussex: In 2018, he was made Duke of Sussex by Queen Elizabeth II prior to his wedding to Meghan Markle.
- Best-selling Author: His memoir, “Spare,” released in January 2023, became the fastest-selling non-fiction book in history.
Prince Harry Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Prince Harry’s estimated net worth is approximately $60 million USD. This figure is a combination of inherited wealth and earnings from his post-royal career.
His inherited wealth includes an estimated $10 million from his mother, Princess Diana, which he received around his 25th birthday, and an additional $8.5 million from a trust established by his great-grandmother, the Queen Mother, which he was set to inherit around his 40th birthday in 2024. While a portion of his wealth stems from being born into the royal family, a significant part of his current net worth is derived from his independent ventures since stepping back from royal duties.
Key income sources include:
- Book Deals: His 2023 memoir, “Spare,” was part of a reported four-book deal with Penguin Random House, estimated to be worth $20 million.
- Netflix Deal: Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Productions signed an initial $100 million multi-year deal with Netflix in 2020, which was extended in August 2025. This deal includes various film and television projects.
- Spotify Deal: The couple also had an initial $20-25 million multi-year deal with Spotify for podcasts, though they parted ways with the platform in 2023 after one season of Meghan’s “Archetypes” podcast.
- Legal Settlements: In January 2025, Harry reportedly reached a settlement exceeding $12 million with News Group Newspapers (NGN), publisher of The Sun, for damages related to illegal information-gathering.
- Speaking Engagements and Investments: His high profile has also led to lucrative contracts with other brands like BetterUp, as well as income from speaking engagements and investments.
Despite their substantial net worth, Prince Harry and Meghan’s lifestyle, including their $14.65 million Montecito mansion, comes with significant operating costs.
Legacy and Influence
Prince Harry’s legacy is increasingly defined by his efforts to modernize the monarchy’s approach to public life and his dedicated work in philanthropy and advocacy. His decision to step back from senior royal duties with his wife, Meghan, marked a significant shift, creating a new model for a prominent royal couple to pursue independent careers and charitable endeavors.
His most notable contribution to date is the founding of the Invictus Games, which has profoundly impacted the rehabilitation and public perception of wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans worldwide. The Games not only provide a platform for athletic competition but also foster a community of support and highlight the resilience of participants, embodying the “unconquerable” spirit.
Through the Archewell Foundation, co-founded with Meghan, Harry actively champions causes related to mental health, children’s welfare, gender justice, civil rights, and combating misinformation. Their focus on mental health, in particular, continues his mother’s legacy and contributes to destigmatizing conversations around wellbeing on a global scale. The Foundation collaborates with key organizations and leaders to identify needs, build initiatives, and drive long-term change, prioritizing lasting solutions.
His public image has evolved from that of a “party prince” to a compassionate advocate, using his platform to address sensitive issues and drive social change. His candidness, particularly in his memoir “Spare” and various interviews, has provided an unprecedented look into royal life, influencing public discourse and challenging traditional perceptions of the monarchy. This openness, while at times controversial, has also resonated with many who seek authenticity from public figures.
Interesting Facts about Prince Harry
- Full Name and Nickname: While commonly known as Prince Harry, his full given name is Henry Charles Albert David. He was nicknamed “Harold” by his brother Prince William.
- Birth Order and Succession: He was born third in line to the British throne, behind his father and older brother, but is currently fifth in line.
- Military Rank and Call Sign: During his time in the military, he rose to the rank of Captain. When flying Apache helicopters in Afghanistan, his call sign was “Whiskey 1 Charlie.”
- Hobbies and Interests: Prince Harry is known to enjoy sports, including polo and rugby union. He is also a supporter of Arsenal football club.
- No University: Unlike many royals, including his brother William, Harry opted to pursue a military career directly after Eton College, rather than attending university. He has stated he never regretted this decision.
- Height: Prince Harry stands at around 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) or 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m), making him one of the taller members of the Royal Family.
- First Overseas Tour: His first overseas royal tour with his parents was to Italy in 1985 when he was just a year old.
- Documentary Filmmaker: During his gap year, he made a documentary film in Lesotho called “The Forgotten Kingdom: Prince Harry in Lesotho.”
Controversies
Prince Harry’s life, particularly since his marriage, has been marked by several high-profile controversies, primarily revolving around his relationship with the British media and his decision to step back from royal duties.
- Media Scrutiny: From his teenage years, Harry was frequently in the tabloid spotlight, leading to documented struggles with press intrusion. His public rebuke of the British press regarding their treatment of Meghan Markle in 2016 underscored his deep concerns about media practices.
- “Megxit” and Stepping Back from Royal Duties: The most significant controversy arose in January 2020 when Harry and Meghan announced their intention to step back as senior working royals. This move, dubbed “Megxit” by the media, led to intense public debate and negotiations with the Royal Family, resulting in their relocation to North America and relinquishing their HRH titles. The decision was driven by their desire for greater privacy and financial independence.
- Oprah Winfrey Interview: In March 2021, Harry and Meghan participated in a candid American television interview with Oprah Winfrey, where they made several damaging claims about the Royal Family and the pressures they faced, including discussions of racism and mental health struggles. The interview sparked global discussion and further widened the perceived rift between the Sussexes and the Monarchy.
- Memoir “Spare”: The release of Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” in January 2023, generated considerable controversy due to its intimate revelations about his life, family relationships, military service, and experiences within the royal institution. The book’s content fueled further debate and media attention, deepening existing tensions.
- Archewell Foundation Financial Reports: In late 2024 and early 2025, reports emerged questioning financial discrepancies within the Archewell Foundation’s filings, with some outlets alleging millions were “missing.” However, the Archewell Foundation later clarified that this was due to “a very typical technical issue around paperwork” related to a late payment notice, and they were subsequently listed as “current and in good standing” by the California Attorney General’s office.
- Security Concerns in the UK: Harry has repeatedly voiced fears for his family’s safety in the UK, citing parallels to his mother’s tragic death. His ongoing legal battles to reinstate taxpayer-funded security when visiting the UK, and his statement that he could not bring his family back without reliable protection, have also been a point of contention.
Social Media Presence
Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, do not maintain personal public social media accounts. Instead, their public online presence and communications are primarily managed through their organization, Archewell Inc. This umbrella entity includes The Archewell Foundation (their non-profit charitable organization) and Archewell Productions (their for-profit media production company). Their official website, Archewell.com, serves as the central hub for updates on their work, initiatives, and content releases from Archewell Productions. Through this platform, they share information about their philanthropic efforts, partnerships, and various film and television projects. Their content also appears on streaming platforms like Netflix, which hosts their docuseries and other projects.
Final Words about Prince Harry
Prince Harry continues to navigate a unique path balancing his royal heritage with an independent life focused on global advocacy and media production. Residing in Montecito, California, with his wife Meghan and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, he remains committed to their mission of “showing up, doing good” through the Archewell Foundation. His work, particularly with the Invictus Games and his focus on mental health awareness, continues to be impactful, drawing on his personal experiences and platform to drive positive change.
Looking ahead, Prince Harry’s professional endeavors through Archewell Productions remain active, with continued partnerships with Netflix for various film and television projects. Speculation persists regarding potential visits to the UK, particularly concerning his desire for his children to experience British education and connect with their heritage, although security arrangements remain a key consideration. Despite the complexities of his public and private life, Prince Harry’s legacy is increasingly defined by his dedication to humanitarian causes, his candid approach to personal challenges, and his efforts to forge a new identity beyond the traditional confines of royal life, aiming to make a lasting influence on global wellbeing and social justice.