Following his step back from royal duties, Prince Harry has been forging a new path that includes a growing number of public speaking engagements. At a recent appearance before the British-American Business Council in London,the Duke of Sussex showcased his characteristic wit,playfully addressing his past life and current status. The remarks, delivered Friday, offer a glimpse into how Harry is navigating his post-royal identity and leveraging his platform for both income and continued public engagement-a strategy increasingly common among high-profile figures.
Prince Harry is bringing his signature wit to the speaking circuit, and he didn’t shy away from poking fun at his former life within the British royal family. At the British-American Business Council’s 65th annual Christmas lunch on Friday, the Duke of Sussex compared life in the palace to the popular period drama Downton Abbey.
“People often ask me if growing up in the royal family was a little bit like Downton Abbey,” Harry quipped during his address to the gathering of business leaders. “Well, yes, but only one of those worlds is full of drama, intrigue, elaborate dinners, and marrying Americans – the other is a television show.”
The son of King Charles III also noted that the business luncheon marked his first Christmas party in some time – and that he doesn’t anticipate joining the royals at Sandringham this year. He then joked about celebrating the Fourth of July in the United States for the first time. “Celebrating the independence of the British, and specifically my sixty-sixth great-grandfather, is a whole new experience for me,” he said.
Harry added that he looks forward to welcoming British nationals across the Atlantic next year for the World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico – provided they can clear customs. This was a playful reference to the immigration policies of former President Trump, whom Harry had already teased the previous day during an appearance on Stephen Colbert’s show. When Colbert suggested Americans aren’t obsessed with royalty, Harry responded, “Really? I’ve heard you’ve chosen a king.” (Trump referred to himself as “the King” in February.)
The Duke of Sussex’s foray into public speaking has proven lucrative. Page Six reported in 2020 that Harry could command up to $1 million per engagement. Following his departure from royal duties, he signed with Harry Walker, an agency that now represents him for corporate events and speaking engagements. Last month, he appeared in Ontario for a talk on “service and leadership” geared toward real estate professionals.
Harry’s appearances on the speaking circuit reflect a growing trend of high-profile figures leveraging their platforms for new revenue streams and direct engagement with audiences. His willingness to engage in self-deprecating humor, particularly about his royal background, continues to resonate with the public.
