Ahead of his milestone 40th birthday this Sunday, the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, has shared his reflections on aging, fatherhood, and the future. In a statement to the BBC, Harry said, “I was anxious about turning 30, but I’m excited about 40. Whatever the age, my mission is to continue showing up and doing good in the world.”
Harry plans to celebrate the occasion privately with his family in California before enjoying a getaway with close friends. The prince also opened up about how fatherhood has changed his perspective, mentioning his children Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3. “Becoming a father of two incredibly kind and funny kids has given me a fresh perspective on life, as well as sharpening my focus in all my work,” he said. “Being a dad is one of life’s greatest joys and has only made me more driven and more committed to making this world a better place.”
The past decade has been a period of significant personal change for Prince Harry. He turned 30 in 2014, the year after his second tour with the British army in Afghanistan. In his memoir, he admitted that this period was marked by anxiety and panic attacks. However, that same year, Harry founded the Invictus Games, a sports event for injured servicemen and women, which remains close to his heart. He described the Games as his “first child,” and they continue to be a major focus of his charitable work.
Since leaving his role as a senior working royal and moving to California in 2020, Harry’s relationship with his family has been strained. While there is ongoing speculation about a potential move back to the UK, friends of the prince have ruled this out, saying he is “happy and settled” in California. Harry is keen to maintain his ties with UK-based charities, though concerns about his security remain a sticking point.
Despite the turbulent years behind him, Prince Harry is looking forward to the future with optimism. “Bring on the next decade,” he said, as he prepares for a new chapter in his life.
