Prince Harry Says He Doesn't "Want to Be a Single Dad" Like Charles Was
Heartbreaking.
Trigger warning: This article discusses suicide.
During a new interview with ITV's Tom Bradby, Prince Harry explained that he brought his family to America because he didn't want to be a "single dad" like his own father King Charles was after the death of Princess Diana.
Harry's wife Meghan Markle previously admitted to feeling suicidal during her time as a senior royal, and leaving the U.K. ended up being the only solution the Duke and Duchess of Sussex found to protect their mental health and the safety of their son Archie. (Their daughter Lilibet was born while they were already living in California.)
"I never want to be in that position, part of the reason why we are here now," Harry told Bradby (via CNN).
"I never, ever want to be in that position. I don’t want history to repeat itself. I do not want to be a single dad. And I certainly don’t want my children to have a life without a mother or a father."
Harry lost his mother Diana when he was just 12 years old.
Elsewhere in the interview, he said about Charles, "Single parenthood, [he] was never made for that."
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Still, the Duke of Sussex expressed a significant amount of empathy towards his father, who he believes did his best in parenting his brother William and himself, though he often didn't get it right.
The duke also said that he's tried everything to reconcile with his father and brother, but that they haven't shown the same willingness. Regardless, he still believes that bridges could be built between them, and he would love to have his family back, as he put it.
Prince Harry has given four TV interviews to help promote his memoir, Spare, which comes out on Jan. 10, and is expected to contain many shocking revelations.
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
Riley Keough Opens Up About the Presley Family Curse as the Sole Heir of Graceland
"I think the word 'curse' is used because my family are looked at as this 'not real' mythology."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Princess Kate Missed Glittering Tiara Reception for First Time in a Decade—But Quietly Carried Out Another Royal Duty
"If she did start returning to major social events, that would lead people to think things are back to normal, which isn't the case."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince Andrew Keeps "Allowing Himself to Be Humiliated" Amid Royal Lodge Dispute With King Charles
"It is how it looks: an idle and disgraced Duke swanning around on his horse."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Andrew Keeps "Allowing Himself to Be Humiliated" Amid Royal Lodge Dispute With King Charles
"It is how it looks: an idle and disgraced Duke swanning around on his horse."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Queen Camilla Pays Tribute to Queen Elizabeth by Wearing Her Rare Aquamarine Ribbon Tiara
The late Queen was photographed wearing the dazzling tiara on just one occasion.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry Gets a Bad Tattoo by Jelly Roll in Hilarious New Invictus Games Video: 'Oh, Sh*t!'
"You wouldn't want nobody else doing this but me."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince Harry Makes Surprise Appearance at Major Sporting Event—And Shares What Position He'd Play in Football
The Duke of Sussex promoted his upcoming Invictus Games.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Queen Camilla Relies on Her Six Companions to Help With a Potentially Embarrassing Task
The new ladies-in-waiting maintain The Queen's privacy and stop fans from acquiring "souvenirs."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Princess Kate Takes the Lead on an Ordinary Household Task That Leaves Prince William Clueless
"I have no idea what I'm doing."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meghan Markle's $6,050 Pendant Pays Tribute to Her "Angels" Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet
The engraved necklace features an adorable reference to the Duchess of Sussex's children.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meghan Markle's 5 Best Royal Re-Wears
The Duchess of Sussex knows what works.
By Kristin Contino Published