Prince Harry's public stance on the United States has undergone a transformation since Donald Trump secured his return to the White House in 2024, it has been claimed, shifting from warm endorsements of American life to pointed criticism of Washington's foreign policy.
The Duke of Sussex delivered his most significant intervention at the Kyiv Security Forum in April, where he argued that America bore a responsibility to stand behind Ukraine.
"The United States has a singular role in this story," Harry said, noting that when Ukraine relinquished its nuclear arsenal, America helped guarantee the nation's territorial integrity.
He urged Washington to demonstrate "that it can honour its international treaty obligations - not out of charity, but out of its enduring role in global security and strategic stability."
Prince Harry has appeared to U-turn on his United States rhetoric ahead of his rumoured UK return next month
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The duke's rhetoric stands in stark contrast to his earlier enthusiasm for his adopted homeland, as reported by Newsweek.
Speaking to Hoda Kotb on Today in April 2022, Harry declared that California "really feels" like home, praising the "great community" in Santa Barbara that had welcomed him and Meghan "with open arms."
His affection for American life appeared even stronger two years later. "It's amazing," he told Good Morning America in February 2024. "I love every single day."
At that time, Harry acknowledged that obtaining US citizenship had "crossed my mind," though he stopped short of making it a priority.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are rumoured to attend the Invictus Games: One Year To Go celebrations in Birmingham next month
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In his memoir Spare, published in January 2023, the prince recalled warming to Americans during a 2016 visit, appreciating their directness over British reserve. "I thought: I like these Americans. I like them a lot," he wrote.
Though often delivered with humour, Harry's barbs at President Trump have been consistent. Appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in December 2025, the duke quipped that Americans were "obsessed with royalty."
When Mr Colbert disagreed, Harry retorted: "Really? I heard you elected a King", a nod to protests framing Mr Trump's presidency as authoritarian.
His criticism predates the recent election. In 2020, after being pranked by Russian comedians posing as Greta Thunberg, Harry accused Mr Trump of having "blood on his hands" over his promotion of the American coal industry.
Prince Harry is famously not an admirer of Donald Trump - pictured here with Ivanka Trump in 2019
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That same year, he and Meghan released a video urging Americans to "reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity" -remarks widely interpreted as targeting Mr Trump ahead of his defeat to Joe Biden.
While his view of America has grown more critical, Harry's characterisation of Britain has softened considerably. In a November 2025 essay exploring British identity, the duke struck a notably affectionate tone.
"Though currently, I may live in the United States, Britain is, and always will be, the country I proudly served and fought for," he wrote.
He celebrated the distinctly British rituals of camaraderie - "the banter of the mess, the clubhouse, the pub, the stands" - declaring: "I make no apology for it. I love it."
The sentiment marked a departure from his memoir, which had portrayed Britain as emotionally constrained. His use of the word "currently" to describe his American residence prompted particular attention, with Cosmopolitan reporting that royal aides were "sweating" over its implications.
Such observations have fuelled speculation that Harry may be contemplating a greater presence in his homeland. The prince has made no public declaration to that effect, though a significant barrier remains.
Harry maintains that Britain is unsafe for his family without the restoration of his Metropolitan Police protection, and no indication has emerged that this will be granted.
Nevertheless, an opportunity to assess his evolving relationship with the country approaches. The duke is expected to return this summer to promote the July 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, marking one year until the event.
His recent statements suggest America has become less a land of promise and more a target of scrutiny, while Britain has reassumed its place at the heart of his public identity.