5 Bad Habits Prince Harry Reportedly Gave Up for Meghan Markle

Prince Harry has gone through several changes since his relationship with Meghan Markle began, and some of them reportedly involved leaving parts of his old lifestyle behind. From his everyday choices to the way he approached certain royal traditions, the Duke of Sussex appeared to be entering a new chapter. While many have varied opinions about Markle's influence in Harry's life, there are a few habits she changed in him for good.

Amongst many other changes, Harry reportedly skipped the royal family's traditional Boxing Day pheasant shoot just for his then-fiancée, Markle. While the royals love hunting, Markle has been known for her love of animals and her opposition to wearing fur. Her approach to animal welfare has even attracted praise from PETA. In a blog post, the organization hailed her by saying, "By choosing to oppose fur and leather, Markle is actively helping to stop the global skins trade." She seemingly rubbed off on Harry. A royal insider also told the Mirror that Harry rarely missed the shoot but was deeply in love with his then-fiancée. The insider added, "Now it looks like Harry’s shooting days are over."

Harry's eating habits reportedly changed when Markle moved into Nottingham Cottage, his former bachelor home at Kensington Palace. Instead of stocking up on his favorite greasy treats, the Prince was said to be embracing a healthier routine that included fresh fruit, vegetables, and home-cooked meals. Royal expert Katie Nicholl discussed the reported change in her book Harry: Life, Loss, and Love. In an account shared with Vanity Fair, she revealed, “The American actress, who prides herself on a healthy-eating regimen and is a devotee of daily yoga sessions, is said to have emptied out the contents of Harry’s fridge and cupboards when she moved into his Nottingham Cottage bachelor pad, binning his favorite calorific treats."

Smoking was another habit Harry reportedly worked to leave behind before his wedding to Markle. A royal source told People magazine that ahead of his wedding, “Harry has lost weight, started a healthier diet, and even gave up smoking cigarettes. And he couldn’t have done it without her support.” The source continued, "Meghan encouraged Harry to get rid of any remnants of his party lifestyle. She wanted him to get in shape and be healthy.” The insider also credited Markle's support to the Duke, describing her as a "beautiful influence" on the Prince.

Harry reportedly also had to give up caffeine for Markle. According to Vanity Fair, royal insiders suggested that the Duke of Sussex had given up caffeine, including tea and coffee, since meeting Markle. According to the outlet, the Prince was seen sticking to water at a state dinner. Talking to the Daily Mail, an insider shared that Markle wants Harry to see a world without dependency. “All she did was show him there’s another way to live, and he’s become a huge fan," they added. Harry specifically gave up on caffeine during Markle's pregnancy as she could not have it back then.

Harry has also reportedly cut back on alcohol since Markle was expecting their first child. A royal insider told The Express that Harry's new routine was quite an achievement, given his reported drinking habits since his teenage years. The source said, "Now his new regime doesn’t make him the most entertaining party guest in the world, but he’s definitely more chilled and relaxed." As per Harper's Bazaar, the couple was also reported to have chosen water over champagne at a state dinner during their first overseas tour together in Fiji.