Royals

Prince Harry asks to simply be called ‘Harry’ during his first engagement since moving to Canada

Harry travelled to Edinburgh to attend a working summit for his sustainable travel initiative.
prince harry scotlandGetty Images

Prince Harry seems more ready than ever to wave goodbye to his royal life.

Making his first public appearance since moving to Canada, Harry attended a working summit for his collaborative sustainable travel initiative Travalyst, as he kicks off his final round of engagements as a working royal.

Appearing at the event in Edinburgh, Scotland on Wednesday, the prince asked to be referred to as just ‘Harry’ as he and Duchess Meghan prepare for their royal exit, which will take effect from March 31.

“He wants to say a few words to kick start the day and he’s made it clear that we are all just to call him ‘Harry’,” event host Ayesha Hazarika told the audience.

“So, ladies and gentlemen please give a big Scottish welcome to Harry.”

Prince Harry attended his first engagement since relocating to Canada on Wednesday. (Image: Getty)

Harry launched Travalyst, a combination of the words ‘catalyst’ and ‘travel’, last year in Amsterdam, a collaborative project between him and several big names in the travel industry including Booking.com, CTrip, Skyscanner, TripAdvisor and Visa with the goal to change the impact of travel for good, by putting communities at the heart of the solution.

Speaking at the working summit in Edinburgh Harry explained: “We believe travel is a good thing. It is the heart of human experience, of cultural connections, and of new friendships.”

However, he says the rapid growth of the tourism industry could put massive pressure on the environment, wildlife and communities and if things aren’t put in place, it could have detrimental and irreversible effects.

“But we are here to find ways to make sure that does not happen,” Harry said.

“We all see a future where people are able to take holidays and trips that have social, environmental and economic benefits to communities and destination built-in. Based on our research, there is an increasing desire for these types of trips – and we want to make them a reality for everyone, but we can’t do it without your help.”

Harry was pictured arriving at Edinburgh Waverly Station on Tuesday night from London after touching down in the UK following his and his family’s relocation to Vancouver Island in Canada.

Over the coming month, Harry and Meghan will undertake several engagements in the UK, the final round of their royal duties as senior members of the royal family.

It is not yet confirmed when Meghan will join Harry in the UK, but she is planned to make an appearance with her husband at the Endeavour Fund Awards on March 5.

Last week the couple confirmed that from April they will no longer use the word ‘royal’ as part of their ‘brand’ which is included in the handle of their popular Instagram account @SussexRoyal which has amassed more than 11 million followers in less than a year.

They also announced a non-profit organisation was in the works which they hoped would create a “new way to effect change and complement the efforts made by so many excellent foundations globally.”

Along with no longer officially representing the Queen or the Commonwealth, Harry and Meghan will also lose the ability to actively use their ‘HRH’ styling although will formally retain the title. The couple’s agreement reached with the Queen and Buckingham Palace in January is set to be reviewed in 12 months.

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