"It gives me great sadness that it has come to this."
Prince Harry has addressed his decision to step back from his official duties.
Prince Harry has addressed his decision to step back from his official duties.
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00:00I want you to hear the truth from me, as much as I can share, not as a prince or a duke, but as Harry.
00:07The same person that many of you have watched grow up over the last 35 years, but now with a clearer perspective.
00:13I also know that you've come to know me well enough over all these years to trust that the woman I chose as my wife
00:21upholds the same values as I do, and she does, and she's the same woman I fell in love with.
00:30We both do everything we can to fly the flag and carry out our roles for this country with pride.
00:36Once Meghan and I were married, we were excited, we were hopeful, and we were here to serve.
00:43For those reasons, it brings me great sadness that it has come to this.
00:48The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back is not one I made lightly.
00:55There were so many months of talks after so many years of challenges, and I know I haven't always
01:01got it right, but as far as this goes, there really was no other option. What I want to make clear is
01:08we're not walking away, and we certainly aren't walking away from you. Our hope was to continue
01:15serving the Queen, the Commonwealth, and my military associations, but without public funding.
01:21Unfortunately, that wasn't possible. I've accepted this knowing that it doesn't change who I am
01:28or how committed I am, but I hope that helps you understand what it had come to, that I would step
01:35my family back from all I have ever known, to take a step forward into what I hope can be a
01:42more peaceful life. I was born into this life, and it is a great honour to serve my country and the
01:48Queen. When I lost my mum 23 years ago, you took me under your wing. You looked out for me for so
01:55long, but the media is a powerful force, and my hope is one day our collective support for each
02:02other can be more powerful, because this is so much bigger than just us. It has been our privilege
02:10to serve you, and we will continue to lead a life of service, so in that respect, nothing changes.
02:16I will always have the utmost respect for my grandmother, my Commander-in-Chief, and I am
02:22incredibly grateful to her and the rest of my family for the support they have shown Meghan
02:26and I over the last few months. I will continue to be the same man who holds his country dear
02:32and dedicates his life to supporting the causes, charities, and military communities that are so
02:37important to me. Together, you have given me an education about living, and this role has taught
02:44me more about what is right and just than I could ever have imagined. We are taking a leap of faith,
02:51so thank you for giving me the courage to take this next step.