Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is gearing up to celebrate his 40th birthday this weekend with his family in California. The prince, who has been reflecting on the past decade of his life, shared his excitement about turning 40 in a statement to the BBC.
“I was anxious about 30, I’m excited about 40,” Prince Harry said. “Whatever the age, my mission is to continue showing up and doing good in the world.”
The past 10 years have been a time of significant change for Prince Harry, who founded the Invictus Games in response to the shock of seeing casualties in war. The Invictus Games, a sporting event for injured servicemen and women, remains a personal passion for the prince.
“He’s described it to me as his first child. It is a very important thing and he is totally committed,” said Dominic Reid, the outgoing chief executive of the Invictus Games Foundation. “I think it speaks very deeply to the soldier in him.”
Despite the challenges he has faced, including a public fallout with his family and a legal wrangle over security in the UK, Prince Harry remains optimistic about the future.
“Becoming a father of two incredibly kind and funny kids has given me a fresh perspective on life, as well as sharpening my focus in all my work,” the prince said in a statement released by his spokesperson. “Being a dad is one of life’s greatest joys and has only made me more driven and more committed to making this world a better place.”
As he prepares to celebrate his 40th birthday, Prince Harry is looking forward to the next decade with optimism and a renewed sense of purpose. “Bring on the next decade,” he said, as he gets ready to mark this milestone with his loved ones.
