Prince Harry Drops Bombshell: The Royal Family is banned from exercising a right that…
Prince Harry stunned an audience in Los Angeles this week, revealing that he was never allowed to do something millions take for granted-a basic democratic right. The Duke of Sussex, who made a surprise appearance at the Upfront Summit on February 27, spoke candidly about the stark differences between his life as a royal and his new chapter in the U.S.
During his speech, Harry made a jaw-dropping admission: “I’m not one to be caught in the divide between left or right views, not cornered by a belief in blue or red,” he said. “Hell, I’ve never even been allowed to vote!”
Though it’s not illegal for British royals to vote (with the exception of the reigning monarch), members of the royal family traditionally refrain from participating in elections to maintain political neutrality.
Historically, royal dukes like Harry were even legally barred from voting due to their ability to sit in the House of Lords. That restriction was technically lifted in 1999, but the royal family has continued to avoid the ballot box-a practice Harry now seems to find baffling.
The Duke of Sussex dedicates his life to serving others
The Duke also reflected on how his perspective on service has evolved since stepping back from royal duties and relocating to California with Meghan Markle in 2020. “The way that I answer the question of how we invest in our shared future is different now living in the U.S. than when I was in the U.K.,” he explained.
“Before I moved, so much of my life revolved around charity. Since then, while my charities remain a core part of my life’s work, I’ve also been focusing on upstream solutions and prevention-addressing problems before they require fixing.”
Despite his shift in approach, Harry emphasized that service remains at the heart of his work, citing his military experience and global travels as key influences. “From Nigeria to Nepal, and from Sydney to Santa Barbara, when you put others first, you build stronger, more sustainable systems,” he said.
The Invictus Games are the jewel in Harry’s crown
Harry also spoke about the lasting impact of the Invictus Games, which he founded in 2014 to support wounded veterans, as well as the work he and Meghan do through The Archewell Foundation.
We show up and do good for those who need it most, supporting social impact initiatives-including digital safety and education-all under the umbrella of protecting our collective mental health,” he shared.
While Harry continues to make waves in the U.S. with his activism and business ventures, his latest comments once again highlight just how much he’s distanced himself from the royal rulebook. One thing is certain-if Prince Harry ever gets the chance to cast a vote, he won’t take it for granted.
