In the early 2000s, Prince Harry was rarely out of the spotlight. Whether stepping onto the polo field at the 2012 Royal Salute Polo Cup, or championing a whole host of charitable causes, the young royal was often captured in moments that revealed both his playful spirit and sense of duty. Even his brief foray into football added to the mythology of the prince-next-door.
In those years, Harry was frequently cast as the monarchy’s wild child, his name linked to a number of British socialites, most notably his long-term, on-again, off-again partner Chelsy Davy. Yet his path shifted decisively in 2016, when he met the actress Meghan Markle at a charity event for wounded veterans. The couple’s shared commitment to philanthropy laid the foundations for their relationship, which quickly captured international attention. Meanwhile, “Harry [continued] to bask in the public’s love for the People’s Princess,” as Vanity Fair’s Sam Kashner wrote in a 2017 profile.
The second son of King Charles III and Princess Diana, Harry has long been compared to his mother, whose warmth and candour resonated deeply with the public. Now a husband and father of two, settled in Southern California, he has embraced a quieter, more private life. To mark his 41st birthday, we look back at some of the most memorable images from his earlier years.