The last four years have seen Prince Harry's life turned upside down. In stepping down from his role as a senior royal, he left behind everything he knew - his upbringing, his position and, most sadly of all, his family.
Yet, while the journey has been punctuated by many challenging and emotional times, the Duke of Sussex, 40, looked to have turned a corner last week. He jetted off to New York on a high-profile solo trip, bringing together some of his greatest passions - conservation, the environment and preserving his late mother's memory.
And, if there is one thing this visit has proven, it is that Harry is successfully bridging the divide between his old and new lives - something that a leading royal expert says he should be applauded for.
"We have seen the old Harry again during recent events he's attended in the UK and now in New York," former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond exclusively tells OK!. "He is brilliant with the people he meets, especially the children, and I think it shows the family back home that he is still determined to continue his kind of service without all the royal trappings. If he wants to use his platform to do good, then we should applaud him for it."
Even though he could simply enjoy his time as a devoted husband to Meghan, 43, and a proud father to Prince Archie, five, and three-year-old Princess Lilibet, the reality is Harry is still determined to use his public profile to benefit others.
"There's nothing to stop Harry having a pretty low-profile life now - he is, after all, a multi-millionaire and I'm sure he could just live a life of idle pleasure in the Californian sunshine," Jennie points out. "However, he has chosen to use his platform to promote causes he cares about... to 'serve' even though he is not a working royal.
Denne historien er fra October 07, 2024-utgaven av OK! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 07, 2024-utgaven av OK! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
A CITY OF TWO HALVES
There's a holiday for every budget to be found in Dubai, as OK!'s Faith Richardson discovered
'Christmas is a double whammy'
Chef James Martin on the pressures of dividing his time between his restaurants and his family over the festivities
LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF
The festive season can be an incredibly stressful time, particularly for people-pleasers who struggle to put their own needs first
'There's a bit of faking it until you make it'
Actor Paul Mescal on entering the Gladiator II arena, building a blockbuster body for his role as fighter Lucius Verus, and heading up an A-list cast of Hollywood's finest stars
THE A-LIST HAIL HOLLYWOOD'S BIG HITTERS
A line-up of the film world's best-known faces attended this year's Governors Awards to celebrate lifetime achievements
'I think we arrived right on time'
The stars of the long-awaited film Wicked, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, tell us why its themes are so relevant right now and why the musical is so dear to their hearts
'No one knows who I am'
Having first found fame on social media, GK Barry has become the breakout star of this year's I'm A Celebrity
'I still pinch myself about how we met'
Now legally married, MAFS Uk’s Adam and Tayah Aveling are looking forward to Christmas with their daughter and welcoming baby number two in 2025
THE ROYAL WEEK
It was a sad week for Queen Camilla, but a good week for the royal family’s charities with visits to hospitals and homeless centres
WILLIAM AND KATE'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS
After a challenging year for the royal family, the Prince and Princess of Wales plan to give their children an unforgettable time filled with fun and festivities
