‘The life my mom wanted for me’: Prince Harry on generational healing in the U.S.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, may have grown up in palaces, but his reflections on family and healing resonate universally.. Speaking at The New York Times’ DealBook Summit on Wednesday, Harry shared how his life in the United States with wife Meghan Markle and their two children, Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3, honors the vision his late mother, Princess Diana, had for him.

“I enjoy living [in the U.S.] and bringing my kids up here,” Harry said. “It’s a part of my life that I never thought I was going to live, and it feels as though it’s the life that my mom wanted for me.”

For Harry, this life is about more than where to live—his life in America represents a conscious decision to break generational patterns, prioritize his own well-being, and redefine what a happy, functional family looks like, royalty or not. 

I’m not a princess, but I relate. 

Princess Diana made change possible for Harry

Princess Diana, beloved around the world, faced extraordinary challenges as a woman, wife, and mother. Despite her role in the royal family, she was determined to protect her children from the pressures that shaped her life. As anyone who has read about the royal family drama (or binge-watched The Crown, knows), Diana famously brought a sense of humanity to her royal duties, but behind the scenes, she struggled to reconcile her public and private selves.

Her devastating death in 1997, after years of relentless media scrutiny, left her sons to grapple with not only profound grief but also her legacy of personal intentionality and a struggle for resilience. Harry’s decision to step away from royal life feels like a continuation of his mother’s fight to prioritize her humanity over family duty and expectation.

“I want my kids to grow up with the opportunity to be themselves,” Harry shared at the summit, reflecting on the importance of creating a peaceful and supportive environment for his family. And honestly? I get it.

Related: Why it matters that Prince Harry is breaking the ‘generational pain’ of how he was parented

Breaking generational patterns

Generational healing isn’t easy. For Harry, it has meant stepping away from a system that didn’t align with his values and building a life where he could truly prioritize his family. By choosing to live in the United States and creating a foundation focused on compassion and connection, Harry and Meghan are consciously rewriting the script.

Through their Archewell Foundation, the couple has taken on issues like mental health and digital safety. Their Parents Network initiative is designed to help families navigate the complex online world, supporting parents in their roles as “first responders” for their children.

But the healing starts at home. “My main goal is to be the best dad and husband I can be,” Harry said, emphasizing that his decisions are grounded in his desire to protect his family’s peace and happiness.

Related: How Prince Harry honors ‘Grandma Diana’ is a great way to keep a loved one’s memory alive

Harry’s healing—and the rest of us

Harry and Meghan’s choices reflect universal truths about breaking generational cycles and choosing a better way forward. Few of us are born into royal families, but all of us have imperfect parents and the need to grapple with what parts of our upbringing we will maintain—and which ones we need to heal and transform with intention. For a generation of Millennial and Gen Z parents that value authenticity, going to therapy, and conscious parenting, it’s a relatable journey.

 Their journey offers insights for anyone striving to create a life for their own family that feels authentic and aligned:

• Breaking generational cycles: Diana worked to shield her sons from the darker side of royal life. Harry is continuing her legacy by ensuring his children grow up with a sense of freedom and stability.
• Redefining family dynamics: Stepping away from traditional roles doesn’t mean stepping away from family; it means creating relationships and structures that feel healthy and supportive.
• Prioritizing mental health: Therapy and introspection have been central to Harry’s healing. “It was a blessing,” he shared. “What it really did was open my eyes and open my perspective on how to resolve the inner.”
• Building something new: Through their foundation, Harry and Meghan are working to address systemic challenges while modeling what it means to live in alignment with one’s values.

Prince Harry’s journey isn’t just about stepping back—it’s about moving forward with grace and purpose. By breaking patterns, prioritizing healing, and building a life for his own nuclear family that feels true, Harry is proving that generational change is possible. Sure, Harry and Meghan do it with a little extra sparkle (and tabloid drama), but they also show a powerful example that despite the pressures from even the most powerful families, building the next generation with purpose is more than possible.