'Hear the truth from me': Harry addresses Megxit in brutally honest speech

Prince Harry has opened up about ‘Megxit’ in a remarkably candid speech, revealing he has ‘accepted’ the final deal however his wish was ‘to continue serving the Queen’.

The unexpected speech delivered at a dinner for the Sentebale charity in London, addressed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to step down and confirmed the Queen’s ultimate decision was not what they had hoped for.

In a bold move, Harry addressed rumours that surrounded the controversy and pledged to set the record straight.

“Before I begin, I must say that I can only imagine what you may have heard or perhaps read over the last few weeks,” he began.

“So, I want you to hear the truth from me, as much as I can share – not as a Prince, or a Duke, but as Harry, the same person that many of you have watched grow up over the last 35 years – but with a clearer perspective.”

The Duke of Sussex went on to admit the eventual agreement reached was not what he was hoping for.

“Our hope was to continue to serve the Queen, the Commonwealth and my military associations, but without public funding,” he said.

“Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible. I’ve accepted this...I was born into this life, and it is a great honour to serve my country and the Queen.”

Harry also spoke candidly about Meghan and the challenges the pair faced, defending his wife and saying: “She’s the same woman I fell in love with.”

“We both do everything we can to fly the flag and carry out our roles for this country with pride,” he continued.

Harry is expected to reunite with Meghan and Archie in Canada after he wraps up his final duties in London this week.

As for Archie, Harry briefly touched on their son, revealing the move to Canada has come with new discoveries.

“It has also been a privilege to meet so many of you, and to feel your excitement for our son Archie, who saw snow for the first time the other day and thought it was bloody brilliant!” Harry said.

Harry and Meghan quit royal life

The statement comes after Buckingham Palace revealed a final compromise had been reached with the pair over the weekend.

The Palace confirmed Prince Harry and Meghan will no longer be working members of Britain's monarchy and they will pay their own way in life as they embark on an independent future.

They will also no longer use their ‘Royal Highness’ titles the palace said, in an announcement that sought to end the turmoil in the monarchy which was sparked earlier this month when the couple announced they wanted to reduce their official duties and spend more time in North America.

Read the full transcript below:

Prince Harry addressed his royal exit on January 20th at a charity dinner for supporters of Sentebale in London’s Ivy Chelsea.

“Good evening, and thank you for being here for Sentebale, a charity me and Prince Seeiso created back in 2006 to honour my mother’s legacy in supporting those affected by HIV and AIDS. Before I begin, I must say that I can only imagine what you may have heard or perhaps read over the last few weeks.... So, I want you to hear the truth from me, as much as I can share – not as a Prince, or a Duke, but as Harry, the same person that many of you have watched grow up over the last 35 years – but with a clearer perspective.

"The UK is my home and a place that I love. That will never change. I have grown up feeling support from so many of you, and I watched as you welcomed Meghan with open arms as you saw me find the love and happiness that I had hoped for all my life. Finally, the second son of Diana got hitched, hurray! I also know you’ve come to know me well enough over all these years to trust that the woman I chose as my wife upholds the same values as I do. And she does, and she’s the same woman I fell in love with. We both do everything we can to fly the flag and carry out our roles for this country with pride. Once Meghan and I were married, we were excited, we were hopeful, and we were here to serve.

"For those reasons, it brings me great sadness that it has come to this. The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back, is not one I made lightly. It was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges. And I know I haven’t always gotten it right, but as far as this goes, there really was no other option. What I want to make clear is we’re not walking away, and we certainly aren’t walking away from you.

“Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the Commonwealth, and my military associations, but without public funding. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible. I’ve accepted this, knowing that it doesn’t change who I am or how committed I am. But I hope that helps you understand what it had to come to, that I would step my family back from all I have ever known, to take a step forward into what I hope can be a more peaceful life. I was born into this life, and it is a great honour to serve my country and the Queen. When I lost my mum 23 years ago, you took me under your wing. You’ve looked out for me for so long, but the media is a powerful force, and my hope is one day our collective support for each other can be more powerful because this is so much bigger than just us.

"It has been our privilege to serve you, and we will continue to lead a life of service so in that respect nothing changes. It has also been a privilege to meet so many of you, and to feel your excitement for our son Archie, who saw snow for the first time the other day and thought it was bloody brilliant! I will always have the utmost respect for my grandmother, my commander in chief, and I am incredibly grateful to her and the rest of my family, for the support they have shown Meghan and I over the last few months. I will continue to be the same man who holds his country dear and dedicates his life to supporting the causes, charities and military communities that are so important to me.

“Together, you have given me an education about living. And this role has taught me more about what is right and just than I could have ever imagined. We are taking a leap of faith - thank you for giving me the courage to take this next step.”

Got a story tip or just want to get in touch? Email us at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com