Boris Johnson’s Last-Ditch Effort to Convince Prince Harry to Stay

In a surprising revelation from Boris Johnson’s upcoming memoir, the former Prime Minister discloses his attempts to persuade Prince Harry to remain in his royal role during a meeting at a UK-Africa investment summit in January 2020. This encounter, described in Johnson’s book Unleashed and serialized in the Daily Mail, highlights a moment of political and royal intersection amid the growing tensions within the British monarchy.

Johnson recounts delivering what he calls a “manly pep talk” to the Duke of Sussex, a conversation that he ultimately deemed “totally hopeless.” At that time, Prince Harry was already leaning towards leaving the UK, having expressed in a speech the day before that he felt he had “no other option” but to step down from his royal duties. This context makes Johnson’s efforts seem even more futile, as Harry was clearly ready to embrace a new life away from royal expectations.

The meeting between Johnson and Harry, reported to have lasted around 20 minutes and conducted without aides, occurred amidst significant public interest regarding Harry’s strained relationship with the Royal Family. Johnson, known for his role in the Brexit movement, was ironically unable to sway Harry in the opposite direction. The former Prime Minister’s reflections on the encounter provide insight into a moment that, at the time, was shrouded in speculation.

In his memoir, Johnson candidly describes his task as “ridiculous,” indicating that he felt ill-equipped to change Harry’s mind. This suggests a level of absurdity in the political dynamics at play, as Johnson appeared to act with the backing of both Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street in this unorthodox endeavor.

As of now, there has been no official response from Prince Harry or representatives from Buckingham Palace regarding this meeting. However, it does illustrate an unexpected overlap between the political and royal spheres, adding a new layer to the narrative surrounding Harry and Meghan’s departure from the UK. Notably, this episode is absent from both the couple’s Netflix series and Harry’s own memoir, indicating that certain behind-the-scenes conversations have remained under wraps.

While Johnson’s account does not delve into whether he drew on personal experiences to counsel Harry, it’s worth noting that just a month after this meeting, Johnson became engaged to Carrie Symonds and announced they were expecting a child. Despite his well-meaning advice, nothing seemed poised to deter Prince Harry from pursuing his new path. The evening before their meeting, Harry had articulated his desire to live life not as a royal but simply as Harry, signaling a profound shift in his priorities.

The backdrop of their discussion—the Africa investment summit—was significant, as both Johnson and Harry shared an interest in advancing education in Africa. Harry had been involved with a charity in Lesotho, while both he and Meghan had previously advocated for girls’ education, an issue also championed by Johnson. This shared focus made the meeting more than just a casual conversation; it was an attempt to align their mutual interests.

Since that fateful encounter, both Harry and Johnson have experienced dramatic changes in their lives. Harry now resides in California with his family but frequently returns to the UK for various events, including charity functions. Recently, he has engaged in public discussions around serious topics like the dangers of social media for youth, showcasing his ongoing commitment to impactful causes.

Conversely, Johnson’s political journey has been tumultuous, leading to his eventual resignation as Prime Minister. Both figures now find themselves in a position of estrangement from their previous roles, navigating a new landscape far removed from their past identities.

As both men continue to evolve, one wonders how different Harry’s path might have been had he heeded Johnson’s advice. The whimsical nature of their exchange, including a later appearance by Harry on The Tonight Show where he was humorously quizzed about pandas, reflects a lighter side of a complex journey. The “manly pep talk” that Johnson delivered ultimately proved futile, yet it underscores the unique intersection of royalty and politics that characterized this brief but telling meeting.