Prince Harry Shares What He Finds "Absolutely Terrifying" as a Parent
The Duke of Sussex wrapped up his trip to NYC by speaking out on an issue close to his heart.


Prince Harry spent UN Climate Week 2024 drawing attention to some of his passion projects, including mental health, the environment and the dangers of social media. But he also shared how his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, gave him an even greater desire to change the world.
During an event celebrating the fifth anniversary of his not-for-profit organization Travalyst on Sept. 24, the Duke of Sussex spoke about sustainable travel and how parenthood has heightened his concern for environmental issues.
"Somebody born in 2020 is likely to experience eight times the number of heatwaves, four times the number of droughts, three times the number of crop failures, and three times the number of river floods than a person born in 1960," he said in a speech at the event.
Reflecting on his children, Harry admitted, "As a father of two, that's absolutely terrifying."
Prince Harry highlighted the importance of sustainable travel during his speech on Sept. 24.
The organization, partnering with major travel brands and technology companies, aims to transform the tourism industry by prioritizing environmental and community welfare alongside economic growth.
Harry drew from his extensive experiences to illustrate the "double-edged sword" nature of tourism, describing travel as "a force that has the potential to do tremendous good, or if mismanaged, inflict significant harm."
"We're expecting 1.8 billion international arrivals each year, nearly double the numbers we saw just two decades ago," he said, adding, "That kind of growth can only be sustainable if we prioritize not just profit, but people and places too."
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Speaking of the impact of climate change on communities, the Duke of Sussex said, "The level of suffering is heartbreaking and the cumulative cost of recovery has us permanently on the back foot."
The duke also stated there was a "vital need" for a balanced approach to travel that considers the impact on local communities and ecosystems.
The Duke of Sussex celebrated Travalyst's fifth anniversary during his visit to NYC.
Travalyst's initiatives include developing tools to estimate flight emissions, helping travelers make eco-friendly choices. The organization plans to expand these efforts to accommodation and other aspects of travel, leveraging its partners' combined market value of nearly $3 trillion.
Prince Harry also spoke about his kids during several other Climate Week events, revealing during his Clinton Global Initiative speech that Archie and Lilibet feature in the photo on his phone's lock screen.
He also shared how his kids gave him an even greater drive to make a change at a reception for The HALO Trust, a landmine clearance charity that was close to his mother, Princess Diana's, heart.
"Much has changed in my life and the world since 2019 when I first visited Huambo," Harry told the audience, speaking of the trip he took to the same Angolan minefield visited by his mother in 1997. "In those five years I’ve become a father for the second time."
"And while you don't need children to have a stake in the future of our planet, I do know that my mother would have been horrified that anyone’s children or grandchildren would live in a world still infested with mines," he said.
Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.
Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.
Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.


















-
Why Prince Harry Is So "Torn Apart" Over Resigning From His Charity
The Duke of Sussex co-founded Sentebale in honor of his mother in 2006.
By Lia Beck Published
-
New Prince Archie Photo Proves He Takes After Dad Prince Harry in Two Very Important Ways
Father and son have much more in common than their vibrant red hair.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meghan Markle Shared a Rare Video Filmed by Prince Harry on Instagram
And she used her nickname for him in the shoutout she wrote in the video's caption.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Prince Harry’s Ex, Cressida Bonas, Is Launching a Podcast and Princess Eugenie Is Already Lined Up as a Guest
Other famous faces in the podcast's launch announcement video include Kate Winslet, Mary Berry, and Camilla Alves McConaughey.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Prince Harry Proves He's a Total Girl Dad in Sweet New Photo of Daughter Princess Lilibet
Lilibet is curled up in her dad's lap in the previously unseen snap.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry Makes a Brief but Meaningful Appearance in Netflix's 'With Love, Meghan'
The Duke of Sussex requests a mimosa as he supports wife Meghan Markle at an important event.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet Celebrate Meghan Markle's New Netflix Show With an Amazing Gift
The little royals paid tribute to their mom's success in the sweetest way.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry Reveals His Favorite Thing About Raising Lilibet and Archie in California
The Duke of Sussex shared the one thing he can do in the U.S. "without any issue."
By Amy Mackelden Published