Prince Harry spoke to James Corden last year about his decision to step back from the Royal Family during a surprise performance on “The Late Late Show” early Friday.
The Duke of Sussex joined the entertainer for an in-depth interview, where the two Facetimed with Meghan Markle and Harry even spilled literal tea (while riding on top of a Los Angeles double-decker bus). Although there was no carpool karaoke, there was some rapping from the prince as he sang the theme song “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”.
When Corden brought up Prince Harry’s decision to run away from the royal family, the Duke was quickly clear: “It never ran away.”
“It was a step back rather than a step back,” said Harry. “It was a very difficult environment, as I think a lot of people have seen. We all know what the British press can look like. And it destroyed my sanity. I was like, ‘This is toxic.’ So I did what any husband and father would do and thought, “I have to get my family out of here.” ”
“But we never ran away,” he added. “And as for me, and whatever decisions are made on that side, I will never walk away. I will always contribute. But my life is a public service. So wherever I am in the world it will be the same. ”
The late late show
They ended the interview with (what else) an obstacle course:
Corden and the Royal Family were filmed earlier this month on a double-decker bus in Los Angeles. While CBS did not respond to HuffPost’s request at the time, an anonymous source told People that the duo had “recorded a COVID-appropriate part of ‘Carpool Karaoke on the Double Decker'” and that there was “a lot of jokes and laughter.” old friends.
Meghan and Harry will appear together on March 7 for a 90-minute primetime special with Oprah Winfrey, aptly titled “Oprah with Meghan and Harry.” This is the first on-camera interview for the couple since they announced they were retiring as working members of the Royal Family in January 2020.
A year after the couple’s decision, Buckingham Palace confirmed last week that the two would “ not return as working members of the royal family. ”
WPA pool via Getty Images The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II at the Queen’s Young Leaders Awards at Buckingham Palace on June 26, 2018.
A spokesperson for the Sussexes said in a statement shared with HuffPost that Harry and Meghan “continue to honor their duty and service to the UK and the rest of the world and have offered their continued support to the organizations they have represented, regardless of official role. . ”
“We can all live a life of service,” said the spokesman. “Service is universal.”
Subscribe to HuffPost’s Watching the Royals newsletter for all about Windsor (and beyond).
Calling all HuffPost super fans!
Apply for membership to become a founding member and help shape the next chapter of HuffPost