Prince Harry introduced his newborn son, Prince Archie, to renowned primatologist Jane Goodall as "my little African child," according to former magazine editor Tina Brown.
Ms Brown disclosed this previously unheard claim when recounting a lunch she had with Ms Goodall before the scientist's death in October 2025.
According to the journalist, the Duke of Sussex's comments were referencing a sense of freedom and a dream that he and Prince Archie would live "off-grid", away from the pressure of royal life.
Ms Brown explained: "She [Ms Goodall] was one of the only people outside the family that went to see Archie when he was born. And Harry said, 'This is my little African child.'"
Prince Harry allegedly referred to Prince Archie as his 'little African child'
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She clarified: "'It's going to be my child who essentially... you know... wild child, essentially...' They were going to have this time together living a life off the grid as it were."
GB News has contacted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's representatives for comment regarding the claim.
Verification of Ms Brown's account is no longer possible following Ms Goodall's passing.
Ms Brown shared the anecdote to illustrate how the Royal Family had anticipated a very different path for Harry.
Prince Harry and Jane Goodall pictured in 2019 | PAAccording to her account, Ms Goodall was "absolutely stunned when he chose the life that he did."
The former editor explained that the Queen had long expected Harry might eventually step back from royal duties, but the family believed he would dedicate himself to wildlife conservation on the African continent.
"They all expected him to kind of go to Africa and become a person who focused on conservation of animals in Africa and live a kind of off-the-grid life," Ms Brown said during an appearance on Katie Couric's YouTube programme.
Instead, Harry settled in Montecito, California, embracing what Ms Brown characterised as "the opposite of the off-the-grid life" – a celebrity existence that she suggested even Harry himself had not foreseen.
Katie Couric and Tina Brown having a chat on the journalist's YouTube channel
|YOUTUBE: KATIE COURIC
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Ms Goodall's visit to meet Archie was acknowledged by Harry and Meghan in their tribute following her death.
In a statement, the couple described her as "a visionary humanitarian, scientist, friend to the planet, and friend to us."
"She held our son, Archie, when he was first born, and showered love and care to those who were privileged to know her," they wrote.
The primatologist and Harry had attended a meeting together at Windsor Castle in July 2019, approximately two months after Archie's birth.
Africa has long held profound significance for Harry, frequently described as a sanctuary where he sought solace following his mother, Princess Diana's, death.