Prince Harry Calls This Country His 'Second Home' in Latest Speech — And It's Not the UK or US
The Duke's return to the U.S. came within days of him shifting back to the UK along with his family.
Prince Harry was on a two-day trip to New York for the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting and the Skift Global Forum event. While there, the Duke of Sussex made two unplanned visits for causes close to his heart. He attended a National Geographic event honoring Botswana and later participated in a panel discussion hosted by the Diana Award on youth in the workplace. Meanwhile, during his speech at the Skift Global Forum, Harry described Botswana as his "second home," noting a 25-year connection through personal and charitable work. He revealed that his initial visit occurred after the death of his mother, Princess Diana, in 1997, as he struggled to cope with her loss. In a statement, a world leader emphasized his ties to the country and praised the Duke's efforts to champion various causes.
During the National Geographic & De Beers Okavango Eternal event at Jardin de Sur Madison, President Duma Boko of Botswana commended Harry for his contributions to the country, calling him "almost a citizen of Botswana," particularly for the charitable endeavors he undertook in the Okavango Delta. "We appreciate the work that we've done, and we continue to do, and I had a brief chat with him earlier, and he asked what other ideas and projects I could suggest to him," President Boko said. The video of the event has since gone viral on X.
The praise came right after the Duke of Sussex expressed his affection for Botswana at the Skift event, recounting how his travels following his mother's death fostered his understanding of conservation and global community. He emphasized the Okavango's significance not just as a tourist destination but as a vital ecosystem supporting wildlife and communities.
"That description captures something that we can easily forget when we talk about destinations as an industry. These places are not simply somewhere to travel to. They are home," Harry said during his speech. Meanwhile, the Duke's return to the U.S. came within days of him shifting back to the UK along with his family.
After an unexpected homecoming, he has been actively involved in public engagements, including those related to the Invictus Games, while Meghan Markle and their children, Archie and Lilibet, have remained mostly private.
Markle recently demonstrated support for her husband by sharing an Instagram video of his participation in the 2026 WellChild Awards. The video, posted on September 22, highlighted the Duke interacting with young honorees and featured the song "I Believe" by Sam Garrett, emphasizing themes of love and change.
