Prince Harry’s Most Heartwarming Quotes About Fatherhood Over the Years

A new chapter in his life. Prince Harry’s journey to becoming a father was years in the making — and the royal has offered glimpses at how the major milestone has affected him.

The Duke of Sussex hinted at his plans to become a father amid his romance with Meghan Markle. “I, of course, I would love to have kids,” he told The Telegraph in 2017, noting that he has had practice as a godfather. “I’m a godfather to quite a few of my friends’ [kids]. Actually, only five or six.”

Harry continued: “I’d like to think [I am a good godfather]. But I think the key to that is to grow up, but also to be able to stay in touch with your childhood side. If that means going to someone’s house and sitting there and playing PlayStation and kicking the ass of their son or whatever it is, then I’ll try and do that. I’ve actually had a lot of practice for that.”

Later that year, Harry announced his engagement to Meghan after one year of dating. The couple tied the knot in 2018 and later expanded their family with son Archie.

For the Better Up CIO, his first child’s arrival sparked a shift in his view of the world.

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“Since becoming a father, I feel the pressure is even greater to ensure we can give our children the future they deserve, a future that hasn’t been taken from them and a future full of possibility and opportunity,” Harry wrote in a June 2020 letter for African Parks’ annual report, referencing the coronavirus pandemic. “I want us all to be able to tell our children that yes, we saw this coming, and with the determination and help from an extraordinary group of individuals, we did what was needed to restore these essential ecosystems.”

Following his and Meghan’s decision to step back as senior members of the royal family in early 2020, the trio moved to California.

According to Harry, the move offered them the opportunity to live a more private life with their son. “I’m just unbelievably fortunate and grateful to have outdoor space and see Archie be able to be outside,” Harry said about Archie during an August 2020 video chat.

In June 2021, Harry and Meghan announced the arrival of their daughter. “On June 4th, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili,” they said in a statement at the time. “She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we’ve felt from across the globe. Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family.”

After watching his family grow, Harry gushed about his little girl. “Archie is very, very busy and Lili is learning to use her voice, which is great,” he said during a video call with WellChild Awards recipients in October 2022.

Scroll on for Harry’s most candid quotes about fatherhood:

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May 2019

“Parenting is amazing. It’s only been what, two and a half days, three days, but we’re just so thrilled to have our own little bundle of joy,” Harry told reporters days after Archie’s birth. “We have to spend some precious time with him as he slowly starts to grow up.”

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July 2019

During a speech at the National Youth Mentoring Summit, Harry reflected on how his perspective on life changed since having a child.

“I’m struck by a few things today, most of which is the power of the invisible role model. The person who may be sitting here today that doesn’t realize that someone looks up to them that—for that person—you inspire them to be kinder, better, greater, more successful, more impactful,” he said at the time. “Perhaps it’s the newfound clarity I have as a father knowing that my son will always be watching what I do, mimicking my behavior, one day maybe even following in my footsteps.”

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October 2019

“I will always protect my family, and now I have a family to protect. So everything that [my mother] went through, and what happened to her, is incredibly important every single day, and that is not me being paranoid, that is just me not wanting a repeat of the past,” the U.K. native told journalist Tom Bradby for a documentary.

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October 2019

Harry got emotional while delivering a speech at the WellChild Awards in London, saying, “Every year, they never fail to surprise and inspire me, but this year it resonates in a different way because now I’m a father. Last year, when my wife and I attended, we knew that we were expecting our first child. No one else did at the time, but we did.”

He continued: “I remember squeezing Meghan’s hand so tight during the awards and both of us were thinking what it would be like to be parents one day, and more so, what it would be like to do everything we could to protect and help our child should they be born with immediate challenges or become unwell over time.”

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April 2020

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Harry opened up about home life during a WellChild charity call.

“[One positive is] being able to have family time. So much family time that you almost think, ‘Do I feel guilty for having so much family time?’ You’ve got to celebrate those moments where you are just on the floor rolling around in hysterics,” he gushed. “Inevitably, half an hour later, maybe a day later, there’s going to be something that you have to deal with and there’s no way you can run away from it.”

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January 2023

During an interview with ITV, Harry explained how his late mother’s death following media scrutiny influenced his decision to leave the royal family with Meghan.  

“I never want to be in that position — part of the reason why we are here now — I never ever want to be in that position,” he said, referring to Princess Diana‘s passing in 1997 following a car crash. “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.”