Despite their affluence and influence, the royal family shares common familial experiences. They commemorate each other’s birthdays, gather for festive occasions, and, as observed during the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, unite in mourning the loss of loved ones.
Regrettably, on September 8, 2022, Britain bid farewell to its longest-reigning monarch due to health issues faced by the late queen. This marked a profoundly sorrowful day for the royal family, with numerous members gathering to offer support during her final moments. Even Prince Harry, who withdrew from his royal responsibilities in 2020, attended to be with his family during this challenging period. The unity displayed by the entire royal family following Elizabeth’s demise underscores their close familial bonds and inherent humanity.
Amid these shared experiences, familial resemblances are also a universal aspect. Notably, within the royal family, Princess Charlotte of Wales has drawn attention for her likeness to both her grandmother, Princess Diana, and her late great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.
However, there’s a lesser-known familial resemblance within the royal lineage that often goes unnoticed—Prince Harry’s resemblance to other family members. Despite his distinctive red hair, Harry has been noted for bearing a resemblance to his grandfather, Prince Philip, in his youth. Astonishingly, evidence also suggests a striking similarity between Harry and his father, King Charles III, during Charles’ bearded phase in the ’70s. Despite the king not being known for facial hair, the uncanny resemblance to Harry, who is recognized for his bearded appearance, has left many surprised.
Prince Harry requires no introduction, being the youngest offspring of King Charles III and Princess Diana, thrust into the limelight from the moment of his birth. Born on September 15, 1984, at St. Mary’s Hospital in London, England, Harry’s introduction to the world followed the royal tradition of allowing the public a glimpse of the newborn as the parents depart from the hospital.
This customary practice has produced iconic images throughout the years, from Diana and Charles bringing their sons home to William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, doing the same with their children. As reported by Marie Claire, the day after Harry’s birth, Diana and Charles participated in a photo session, capturing an iconic moment as they hurriedly made their way to their car. In the photograph, Harry was snugly wrapped, Charles exuded sophistication in a suit, and Diana donned her now-legendary red outfit—a red jacket over a white shirt with a Peter Pan collar. Kate later paid homage to Diana’s hospital attire by replicating the look when she gave birth to Prince Louis, wearing a vibrant red dress with a white Peter Pan collar.
However, even in these early moments, signs of strain in Diana and Charles’ marriage were apparent. According to a documentary titled “The Princess,” Charles chose to play polo shortly after Harry’s birth, as revealed by Marie Claire. The documentary’s voiceover noted:
“At the entrance to Kensington Palace, the prince and princess and their baby arrive from the hospital at speed, swept in without stopping. Then, less than an hour later, Prince Charles left to play polo — something most new fathers would hardly dare to suggest.”
Another commentator added insight into Charles’ role as a husband to Diana and an early father to his two young sons, noting, “He has always carried on ever since he got married as if he were a bachelor. He’s made absolutely — and he never did from the word ‘go’ — almost any concession to being a married man with the responsibilities of a wife and now two children.” According to The Guardian, Charles didn’t play polo alone; Camilla, the Queen Consort of the United Kingdom, was in attendance.
The dynamics between Diana and Charles underwent a profound shift after Harry’s birth. In the re-release of “Diana: Her True Story – In Her Own Words,” royal biographer Andrew Morton included transcripts of a conversation with the late princess. Diana revealed, as reported by Harper’s Bazaar:
“Charles and I were very, very close to each other the six weeks before Harry was born, the closest we’ve ever, ever been and ever will be. Then, suddenly, as Harry was born, it just went bang, our marriage. The whole thing went down the drain.”
Charles’ infamous affair with Camilla, while still married to Diana, ultimately led to their highly publicized divorce. Subsequently, Charles pursued a relationship with Camilla, leading to their eventual marriage years after Diana’s untimely passing.
Despite the tumultuous events surrounding his family, Harry has faced challenges from the outset. Nevertheless, he has navigated in and out of the royal family, consistently striving to convey a positive message.
Harry confronted sorrow at a young age when his mother passed away at the tender age of 12. Over the years, he has openly discussed his deep connection with his mother, emphasizing her enduring influence as a role model. Indeed, his commitment to philanthropy and charitable endeavors reflects the impact of her legacy on his life.
In a 2017 ITV documentary titled “Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy,” Harry provided insights into the real nature of his mother. Describing her as a “total kid through and through,” he shared, according to the Independent, “When everybody says to me, ‘so she was fun, give us an example,’ all I can hear is her laugh in my head.” Diana, devoted to her boys, demonstrated her affection in tangible ways. The prince recalled how her hugs were all-encompassing, stating, “she would just engulf you and squeeze you as tight as possible.”
Although Diana is no longer physically present, her memory and impact endure through the lives of William and Harry. The two brothers consistently pay tribute to the late princess, underscoring her remarkable qualities as a mother.
As they mature, Harry and William reflect more on their late mother’s global influence and her profound effect on their lives. “Losing your mother at such a young age does end up shaping your life massively, of course it does,” Harry acknowledged. “And now I find myself trying to be there and give advice to other people who are in similar positions.”
While William and Harry openly express their admiration for Diana, it is evident that she, too, vocalized her love for her two boys, both publicly and in more intimate, private moments.
Indeed, the depth of Harry’s connection with his mother took on a renewed significance when, in early 2020, he and his wife, Meghan Markle, declared their departure from the royal family. Harry’s longstanding criticism of the media, likely stemming from the intense scrutiny his late mother endured, became more understandable. Their controversial and revealing interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021 shed light on their decision, emphasizing that it was made with their family’s well-being in mind.
In his January 2020 speech addressing rumors circulating in the tabloids regarding their departure from senior royal roles, Harry invoked Diana and her tragic death, providing his perspective on the matter. His speech not only referenced his mother but also echoed the sentiments expressed by the late Princess Diana when she chose to step away from royal life after divorcing Charles.
On July 1, 2021, William and Harry paid tribute to their mother by uniting at Kensington Palace to unveil a statue of Diana on what would have been her 60th birthday. Other commemorations coincided with this milestone in July 2021.
Carrying forward the lessons gleaned from his late mother, Harry has maintained his commitment to charitable work and philanthropy even after leaving the royal family—values Diana herself dedicated much of her life to.
Presently, the Duke of Sussex appears remarkably content with his life in sunny California, where he and Meghan have welcomed two children, Archie and Lilibet. In contrast to their time as working royals in the UK, the Sussexes have embraced a different lifestyle in Montecito, California, offering a unique sense of freedom not experienced during their tenure in the royal family in the UK.
Their family life in California is characterized by a relaxed atmosphere, allowing Harry and Meghan the flexibility to parent Archie and Lilibet according to their preferences. Archie attends a nursery school that goes beyond conventional teachings, though it still incorporates traditional elements.
According to The Mirror, a parent of another child at the nursery shared that Archie receives notably less attention than he would in an English nursery school. The parent stated, “Harry often drops Archie off and picks him up, and seems like a good dad. All the parents have been laid back in welcoming Harry and Meghan, without making a fuss. And to the other kids, Archie is just one of them. They don’t know his parents are royalty, and probably wouldn’t care — unless Meghan was a Disney princess.”
Finally liberated from the spotlight, Harry can relish the simple joys of life—a lifestyle that his late mother would undoubtedly be proud of him for embracing.
As an adult, Harry is renowned for his striking appearance, and recently surfaced photos suggest a clear source of his good looks. In 2018, a Twitter user shared side-by-side images of royals featured on French magazine covers. One image showcased Harry and Meghan, while the other, from over fifty years earlier, spotlighted Harry’s grandfather, Prince Philip. The resemblance between the two was remarkable, particularly as Philip sported a beard in the photo. The Twitter user captioned their post:
“61 years after his grandfather was on the cover of @ParisMatch here is my shot of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on this month’s magazine.”
Another user commented, “He looks so much like Philip,” accompanying their statement with another side-by-side comparison photo. Numerous others admitted mistaking Philip for Harry at first glance, underscoring the undeniable resemblance between Harry and his late grandfather.
However, another royal figure Harry remarkably resembles is his own father, Charles. While some level of similarity is expected given their biological relationship, a series of photos depicting Charles in his youth revealed a closeness in their resemblance beyond initial expectations.
When examining images of a young Charles in 1976, one can’t help but observe the striking likeness to Harry. This resemblance becomes particularly apparent during the period when the king experimented with a beard. Despite his handsome appearance, Charles seems to have not favored facial hair, as he did not adopt the look again.
When examining the physical features of Charles and his sons, it becomes evident that Harry is the sole advocate for the bearded aesthetic, and it has, in a way, become his signature look. Notably, William did experiment with a (short-lived) beard in 2008, but he did not persist with the style, mirroring his father’s inclination.
The images capturing a bearded Charles in his youth were initially taken at the Badminton Horse Trials in April and May of 1976. Upon revisiting these vintage photos of Charles with facial hair, the resemblance to Harry is undeniable. More accurately, Harry bears a striking resemblance to how Charles looked with a beard. However, similar to his eldest son William, who opted against maintaining a beard after a brief trial, Charles has seldom embraced facial hair in public since then.
A Twitter user highlighted this resemblance in a 2018 post, stating:
“Happy Birthday, HRH Prince Charles! The picture with your beard looks exactly how Prince Harry looks today (except for the red hair) — wow! Such a handsome resemblance between you and your sons!”
The sentiment found agreement among others, as reported by Express at the time, marking a significant realization for many that Harry shares a notable likeness with Charles. While William is often seen as resembling Diana, royal enthusiasts were delighted to recognize that Harry unmistakably inherits the looks of his father, exemplifying how each prince reflects the physical traits of their respective parents.
Can you spot the similarities between King Charles and Prince Harry? How about the resemblance between Harry and his great-grandfather, Prince Philip? Share your thoughts, and make sure to share this article with any fellow royal family enthusiasts you may know!
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