Alexander Sammon
Updated on: October 15, 2024 2:45 am GMT
In a surprising revelation, Boris Johnson, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, attempted to persuade Prince Harry to remain a senior member of the Royal Family during a private meeting in January 2020. This unexpected “manly pep talk” was disclosed in Johnson’s forthcoming memoir, but it has raised questions about the involvement of Buckingham Palace in this unusual intervention.
The Context of the Meeting
In January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, announced their intention to step back as senior royals. This significant decision marked a turning point for the couple, who later relocated to California. In his memoir titled “Unleashed,” Johnson recounts being asked to talk to Prince Harry in a bid to dissuade him from moving away from royal duties.
- The meeting took place for 20 minutes at a UK-Africa investment summit in London.
– Johnson describes the situation as “ridiculous” and claims that the effort to convince the duke was “totally hopeless.”
– The encounter occurred shortly after Harry expressed deep sadness over his decision to leave the UK, stating he felt he had “no other option.”
The Palace’s Response
Despite Johnson’s claims, sources close to the Royal Family and Downing Street have denied that Buckingham Palace requested him to intervene. Reports indicate that while officials may have suggested it could be beneficial for Johnson to reach out to Harry, there was no formal directive to do so.
– A source familiar with the discussions stated that all involved parties recognized that persuading the Sussexes to stay was unlikely to succeed.
- The very next day, Prince Harry flew to Canada to reunite with Meghan and their son, Archie.
Harry’s Decision to Step Back
Prince Harry’s decision to distance himself from royal duties was not made lightly. During a speech for Sentebale, his charity, he expressed feelings of sadness regarding this new chapter in his life. He had recently attended a crucial meeting known as the Sandringham Summit, where he and other royal family members discussed the terms of his departure.
– At this summit, frustrations ran high, with Harry recalling in his book “Spare” that his brother shouted at him before reaching any agreement.
– The public announcement came just days after those tense discussions, highlighting the urgency and emotional weight of the situation.
The Aftermath of the Move
Since relocating to the United States, Harry and Meghan have made headlines with various ventures, including a Netflix series and the establishment of their Archewell foundation, focusing on philanthropy and media production.
The couple’s transition from royal life has sparked significant media attention and public scrutiny. Their journey has been marked by both challenges and successes as they navigate their new roles.
Reflections on the Intervention Effort
Johnson’s account has sparked conversations about the intersections of politics and royalty, particularly regarding public figures and the influence they can wield over personal decisions. While he managed to successfully lead the UK through Brexit, this attempt to influence Prince Harry proved ineffective.
As noted by a friend of Johnson quoted in the Daily Mail, “Boris succeeded in delivering Brexit but even he couldn’t stop Megxit.” This remark underscores the complexities of personal choices, especially in the public eye.
Conclusion
Boris Johnson tried to convince Prince Harry to stay with the Royal Family, which makes the talk about kings and queens even more interesting. As Harry and Meghan focus on their family and jobs in the United States, this situation shows how hard it can be to choose between what you have to do and what makes you happy. What happened in early 2020 will likely keep coming up when people talk about royal life and the challenges famous people face today.
