real life

Prince Harry: 'No child should have to do this, under any circumstances.'

Head bowed and fists clenched, a then 12-year-old Harry marched in the funeral procession behind his mother’s coffin for the world to see.

“I don’t think any child should be asked to do that, under any circumstances,” the Prince said of one of the darkest moments in the Royal family’s history.

Flanked by older brother, Prince William, father, Prince Charles, grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, and his uncle, Charles Spencer as they walked through the heart of London on September 6, 1997, Harry was just a child when Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris. She was just 36.

"My mother had just died, and I had to walk a long way behind her coffin, surrounded by thousands of people watching me while millions more did on television," he told Newsweek magazine.

"I don’t think it would happen today."

While Prince Harry admitted he struggled with how to deal with the grief of losing his mother at such a young age, he also spoke of the positive impact Diana had on both his and his brother's lives.

"My mother died when I was very young. I didn't want to be in the position I was in, but I eventually pulled my head out of the sand, started listening to people and decided to use my role for good," he said.

"My mother took a huge part in showing me an ordinary life, including taking me and my brother to see homeless people. Even if I was king, I'd still do my own shopping."

Although it is unlikely Harry will ever take the throne, there's no doubt the royal birthright, for all it's grandeur, is weighted with responsibilities Prince Harry and his family didn't ask for, but continue to shoulder in order to keep the 'magic' alive for the British people.

"Is there any one of the royal family who wants to be king or queen?" he said. "I don’t think so, but we will carry out our duties at the right time."

If you had the choice, would you wish to be born into the Royal family?

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Top Comments

Chelle 7 years ago

i would like the privileges it would have but no


Peppa 7 years ago

My heart broke for those two boys. They showed amazing courage to do what they did but Harry is right, it should never have been forced upon them. How awful. I know it's also completely different but I find it awful that William and Catherine, in particular Catherine, have to show their newborns to the waiting media just 24 hours after birth. She has just had a baby, is no doubt beyond tired, no doubt incredibly sore, very likely teary and hormonal and she has to walk down steps (can anyone say ouch!) at the front of the hospital and have her photo taken for all the world to comment on?! Yuck. Give them their privacy.