In an intriguing revelation from Boris Johnson’s upcoming memoir, it appears that the former Prime Minister made a last-ditch attempt to persuade Prince Harry to remain a part of the royal family.
This effort took place during a chance encounter in January 2020, just as Prince Harry was on the brink of stepping away from his royal duties.
The memoir, titled Unleashed, is currently being serialized in the Daily Mail, shedding light on this unexpected intersection of politics and royalty.
During the UK-Africa Investment Summit, Johnson reportedly engaged in what he described as a “manly pep talk” with Prince Harry.
However, the task seemed insurmountable, as the young prince was already leaning towards a major life change.
It seems that even the charismatic Johnson, known for his Brexit advocacy, could not sway Harry’s decision.
Their meeting was initially framed as a casual 20-minute conversation, devoid of aides, but it now appears to have been more significant than previously thought.
The backdrop of their discussion was particularly poignant.
Just a day prior, Prince Harry had delivered a speech expressing his intent to step back from royal responsibilities, a declaration that stirred considerable media interest and speculation about his relationship with the royal family.
Johnson’s attempts to change Harry’s mind, as documented in the memoir, underscore the complexity of the situation.
In a candid reflection, Johnson characterized his efforts as “totally hopeless,” suggesting that he was perhaps caught in a political quagmire while trying to act as a mediator.
His recollection hints at the possibility that he may have been representing both Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street, further complicating the narrative.
“A ridiculous company,” he wrote about their encounter, indicating the absurdity of the situation.
As of now, neither Buckingham Palace nor Prince Harry’s representatives have commented on these revelations.
This meeting between the two Eton alumni unveils a fascinating overlap between their worlds, adding another layer to the story of how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ultimately decided to leave the UK behind.
Interestingly, neither Harry’s own memoir nor the couple’s Netflix documentary has mentioned this pivotal meeting.
This omission raises questions about whether Johnson’s advice stemmed from his own personal experiences, especially since he had recently committed to a relationship with Carrie Symonds and was expecting a child.
Harry, speaking candidly about his desire to forge a new path outside of royal obligations, had made it clear that nothing would deter him from his decision.
In fact, the evening of his meeting with Johnson coincided with a significant family event: Prince William‘s reception for summit attendees at Buckingham Palace, which Harry chose to skip as he prepared to fly to Canada.
Since then, Harry has established a new life in California with his family, although he continues to return to the UK for various events.
He is expected to be back soon for a charitable occasion, demonstrating that while he may have distanced himself from royal duties, his ties to the UK remain strong.
During their conversation, Johnson praised Harry’s contributions, particularly his work with the Invictus Games, highlighting the prince’s value to the UK.
This was presumably an attempt to reinforce the idea that his departure would be a loss for the nation.