Prince Harry Opens Up About Childhood Struggles — and the One Thing That 'Held Him Together'
The Duke gave a deeply personal interview, opening up about the vital role sports played in shaping his life.
Prince Harry has added another prestigious accolade to his name, earning a spot on Time magazine’s inaugural list of the 100 Most Influential People in Sports. Named a leader for his 10-year dedication to wounded veterans through the Invictus Games, the Duke gave a deeply personal interview, opening up about the vital role sports played in shaping his life.
In a candid interview with Time after being featured first on the list, Harry revealed how sports acted as his ultimate lifeline growing up. “Sport held me together. I was one of those kids at school who did not enjoy classroom work. If it wasn't for the sports field and the amount of sports that were on offer, there's no way I would have stayed in school.” The confession gave people a rare insight into Harry’s childhood struggles and answered why athletics remain at the forefront of many of the causes he supports today.
That personal history naturally transitioned into a discussion about the Invictus Games, which Harry founded in 2014 following his own tenure with the British Army. Explaining the profound impact of the international sporting event, he told the outlet: “What we've managed to achieve through Invictus over the years is not only to give people their purpose and their meaning back, but give them their identity back.” While reflecting on the future of it all, the Duke also expressed his hope to expand the competition further. He said he would like to see the Games turn into a two-week event rather than just one. That way, it would allow even more service members the opportunity to compete and benefit from the experience.
For Harry, however, the true impact of the Invictus Games goes far beyond podiums and medals. “One thing that we really celebrate at Invictus is not only do we change lives, but we save lives as well," he told the publication, adding that his sentiment is based entirely on the raw feedback he receives on the ground. “That's not based on anything other than the number of individuals that come up to me and say, ‘If it wasn't for Invictus, I would have killed myself.’” The comments were a sobering reminder of why this foundation is so close to his heart. With the 2027 Invictus Games headed to the UK, in Birmingham, Harry's focus remains locked on the life-saving mission of his favorite cause.
The Duke has also spoken before regarding the growing need for the games. As per PEOPLE, he once said during the Invictus Games’ 10th anniversary that "it's amazing how after 10 years that we’re still doing this, that we still need to do this. We will continue the games for as long as it's needed, and the need is increasing, rather than reducing.”
