In a remarkable shift from his royal roots, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has been subtly altering his accent, according to experts. This change in his speech is seen as a reflection of his new life in the United States, away from the British royal family.
Harry, 38, along with his wife Meghan Markle, 41, made the decision to step back from their roles as senior members of the royal family in 2020. They subsequently relocated to California, marking a significant change in their lives. Since then, Harry's accent has reportedly begun to sound distinct from that of his British relatives.
Emma Serlin, a speech and accent specialist and founder of the London Speech Workshop, analyzed a promotional video Harry appeared in last year for his mental health initiative, BetterUp. She noted that his accent now sounds "much more rounded and middle rather than upper class." This shift, she suggests, is indicative of Harry's transformation from a royal figure to a more relatable, people-oriented individual.
"Harry’s the friendly prince, he’s charming, he connects with people. He is his mother’s son," Serlin said, drawing a parallel between Harry and his late mother, Princess Diana, who was affectionately known as the "People’s Princess."
Serlin further explained that Harry's accent adaptation is a reflection of his new environment and the people he interacts with daily. "He is now ‘of the people’ in a much more overt way. He has always toned the classic royal accent down and softened it, but previously he was much more aligned with the Royal Family," she stated.
However, Serlin dismissed the idea that Harry is intentionally Americanizing his accent. Instead, she believes that he has simply "taken the edge off the received pronunciation that was very much part of his previously somewhat ‘posh’ accent."
Harry's new life in the U.S. has seen him take on the role of Chief Impact Officer at BetterUp, a mental health start-up. The company aims to coach individuals on their mental health, helping them improve their "mental fitness" for peak performance at work and in their personal lives. Harry, who has openly discussed his own mental health struggles, has been instrumental in this initiative.
As Harry continues to carve out his new life in America, his evolving accent serves as a testament to his journey. It's a subtle yet significant symbol of his transition from a royal figure to a relatable individual, connecting with people on a more personal level.