Prince Harry has rejected claims he is ‘not a working royal’, insisting he remains part of the Royal Family during Ukraine visit. During a trip to the country on Friday, the Duke of Sussex spoke to ITV after visiting HALO Trust operations near Bucha, where he observed new digital de-mining technology. Prince Harry rejected the description “not a working royal,” saying he will always be part of the Royal Family and continues public service work.
The Duke told the broadcaster that he sees himself as continuing to do the work he was “born to do,” saying he values humanitarian trips, the people he meets, and the ability to draw attention to issues that fall out of news cycles when other events dominate. His visit with HALO Trust also connects to a personal family legacy. His mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, brought global attention to landmine clearance after walking through an active minefield in Angola in 1997, helping shift international awareness of the issue.
Harry and Meghan Markle announced in January 2020 they would step back as senior royals, seeking a “progressive new role” and financial independence while splitting time between the UK and North America, while still supporting Queen Elizabeth II.
After the Sandringham Summit involving then-Prince Charles (now King Charles III), Prince William and Queen Elizabeth II, a transition period was agreed, but the monarch ruled out a “half-in, half-out” arrangement. Within a year, Harry and Meghan relocated to California and ceased official royal duties.
Tensions widened after the couple’s Oprah Winfrey interview, Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, and Harry’s memoir Spare, which detailed disputes within the Royal Family and deepened mistrust among senior royals, according to commentators.
Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith has said the core issue remains trust, with senior royals reportedly wary of private conversations being made public.
After losing a legal appeal over his UK security arrangements, Prince Harry told BBC News he wants reconciliation with his family, saying there is no point continuing conflict and referencing concern about King Charles III’s health.
Through Archewell, Harry and Meghan continue philanthropic work focused on mental health, veterans, women’s rights, and humanitarian causes, maintaining that service remains central to their identity despite stepping away from official royal duties.
The Ukraine visit came as part of ongoing efforts to support wounded veterans and communities affected by conflict, with Harry continuing longstanding involvement in military rehabilitation initiatives. His work with injured service members has been a consistent theme since his own decade of service in the British Armed Forces, including two tours of Afghanistan, which shaped his focus on veterans’ welfare.
His rejection of the “not a working royal” label reflects ongoing sensitivity around how his role is defined in public life, with supporters arguing he continues meaningful service work outside the institution, while critics maintain that official royal duties are distinct from private charitable activity.
Overall, Harry continues to frame his role as public-facing and service-driven, regardless of formal titles, insisting his work remains consistent with royal values and personal duty still.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.express.co.uk ’
