The Duke of Sussex, who married Meghan Markle in 2018 and welcomed his first child, Prince Archie, in 2020, shared that fatherhood has brought about a deep sense of change in who he is as a person.
Speaking at the Whitten Oval, the home ground of AFL club the Western Bulldogs, Harry reflected on the evolving nature of parenting. He explained that raising children in today’s world requires constant learning and adjustment, describing kids as a form of “progress” for parents—not in a literal sense of replacing previous generations, but in pushing parents to grow and improve themselves.
He emphasized the importance of self-awareness and emotional well-being in parenting, noting that many people aim to become the best version of themselves for their children, including through therapy and personal development.
Harry described fatherhood as one of the most meaningful and transformative roles a man can experience, saying it gives a strong sense of purpose. He also acknowledged the challenges that come with the early days after childbirth, calling them emotionally and physically demanding.
Sharing a personal moment, he recalled how even subtle changes in his emotional state were noticed by his son Archie when he was an infant, highlighting how sensitive children can be to their parents’ feelings.
