I don’t think we should call Prince Harry’s “gap year” a gap year anymore. It truly is a transitional year for him, for sure, but it sounds more and more like he had a laundry list of things he wanted to do and he’s scheduled back-to-back projects for the next year. Unlike William’s second “gap year,” where William fiddled around with co-eds at Cambridge, doing a “bespoke program” that didn’t seem to involve grades or work, and then he just took a half-dozen vacations. Harry’s gap year involves him finishing his military service, going to Africa to volunteer with NGOs, making a 1,000 mile trek across the UK for Walking with the Wounded, and then volunteering with the Ministry of Defense to make the Invictus Games an annual event. And now, sources tell The Daily Mail, Harry might be thinking about a move to Australia next year?
Prince Harry could be effectively emigrating to Australia as he plans a new direction for his life after deciding to leave the Army. Friends say Harry, 30, wants to spend ‘a lot more time there’ starting with the four-week trip he embarks on next month as part of his gap year. And he has told friends that if he enjoys himself during that month-long stint he might even relocate for part of 2016.
A friend says: ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if Harry spent longer in Australia. He’ll be living and mixing with Australians, working with the Australian Defence Force and will get a good look at life out there. If he can find a function out there, perhaps some kind of charity military tie-up, that would work. He’s discussed it with friends and colleagues and they say he’ll like it there.’
Another friend says: ‘He loves the fun-loving Aussie girls and there isn’t anyone in the UK holding him back.’
Though Harry’s first love will always be Africa – where he will also go in the coming months – he has shown an interest in all things Australia since 2003 when he worked as a jackaroo at a Queensland cattle station. The Queen would certainly welcome the idea of her grandson strengthening the Monarchy’s ties Down Under, where there is still an undercurrent of republicanism.
Harry is said to find the active yet laid-back way of life appealing and he has Aussies in his friendship group. One of them is singer and former Neighbours actress Natalie Imbruglia. He was guest of honour at her 34th birthday party at the Kensington Roof Gardens in 2009. The couple became close after he split with Chelsy Davy. And he would no doubt get a welcome in Sydney from Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s two daughters, Bridget and Frances, who were won over by him when he visited in 2013.
I think it’s totally possible that Harry would consider moving to Australia for a year or two. That was always one of Charles’ dreams too, to be appointed Governor-General of Australia or something like that. I could totally see Harry marrying an Aussie girl too, although I think it’s a fallacy to say that no British girl would have him at this point – I think Harry is just tired of the same-old, same-old. He wants a change. He wants to see more of the world. He’s ready to settle down, in some sense, but he’s also restless with the status quo. That’s how I read it.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.
I love how he is always doing such positive things – a partier maybe (obviously) but still using his position to bring important causes to light. Can’t help but love the kid 😀
An Aussie girl would be perfect for him. Brash, laid back, partier? And he seems to like his girls pretty but tomboys. Or I’m just thinking of Chelsy?
And she’d be a “commoner” so more willing to put up with all that his life entails. I’m surprised the Royals didn’t think about picking from their other countries before. Clearly English society isn’t that into them anymore.
That was my immediate thought: a totally chill hot Aussie blonde. Or several.
As an aside, I don’t think “emigrate” is the right word for moving temporarily to another country in the commonwealth as it implies giving up citizenship in one’s home country.
Nothing wrong with that – I’d move to Australia if I had the chance and the money!
Harry loves girls and Aussie girls are awesome. I’m not biased or anything ha ha.
I couldn’t agree more. Plus we are already producing great princesses… Princess Mary is an absolute ripper!!!! A Tasmanian commoner to boot!
If he wants to stay in the U.S, he can stay with me in Florida.
Hmmm… I think he’d find the press here really intrusive. They won’t ever lay off like they do in the UK. Most of our big celebs live overseas so the paps and gutter press here are desperate. They tend to have a bit of a feeding frenzy when big celebs are here. That’s why Heath Ledger & Michelle Williams gave up on Sydney and moved to Brooklyn.
Also, there is more than an undercurrent of Republicanism. A lot of people want it.
Finally, I’d personally be p*ssed if a British royal was made Governor General of Australia. We’ll stick with Aussies who’ve earned it I think.
Otherwise, welcome Harry!
While I am sure that during his gap year his main social circle will consist of elites in the various countries he plans to visit, it’s great that he is getting exposure and out of the fish bowl of his primary culture & friendship networks to experience “the world” and something larger than the UK. It’s too bad that his brother, who really needs this type of experience didn’t/couldn’t/can’t do something similar to break up the insularity of his life and perhaps his “vision” of it and the people in it.
Well put.
Royal or not everyone deserves to at least try to find happiness and a sense of completion in life. This is why I have no problem with this or William’s foray into piloting. The only problem with William is that he doesn’t do enough engagements on the side. But yeah, not a big deal to want to escape the ribbon cutting abyss.
Wow, hair colour aside he looks so much like Charles in that last photo. I can’t believe people still question his paternity.
I think it’s commendable that his schedule involves actual work and not just showing up at galas to get pap’d and chatting up the elite.
The thing I like about his charity interests is that it benefits everybody, not just the yachting crowd and the upper class museum and theater goers.
I read an article in the DM titled “The real reason Harry’s quit the Army? To honour his mother’s memory, writes Richard Kay and Geoffrey Levy.” It says “He is hoping to do something ‘worthwhile’ and continue his mother’s work.”
That’s nice if that’s true. It’s good that he wants to be productive with his life.
anne- I read that too. I thought it was a very complimentary look at Harry and then I read the comments. Vitriolic would be an understatement. I used to think most people liked Harry, but the shear nastiness of the comments was eye opening. He never went to Afghanistan, that Hewett guy is his father, party boy, waste of space, etc. Just nasty bile.
Harry will never be an academic. I think his needing to attend Army staff college for promotion might have had something to do with his leaving the military. But at least he wants to try to make a difference, unlike his brother, who wants all the perks but none of the responsibility.
One thing everyone can agree on; Harry does not want to become like his uncle Andrew.