In his upcoming memoir Unleashed, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson reveals that he was enlisted by Buckingham Palace to convince Prince Harry not to leave the UK and step back from royal duties. Johnson details how he was asked to give the Duke of Sussex a “manly pep talk” during a private 20-minute conversation in January 2020, just before Harry moved to North America with his wife, Meghan Markle.
The meeting took place during a UK-Africa investment summit in London’s Docklands, just hours after Harry and Meghan announced they felt they had “no other option” but to step back from their roles as senior royals. Johnson admits in his memoir that his efforts to dissuade Harry were ultimately “totally hopeless.” The prince left for Canada the following day, where he reunited with Meghan and their young son, Archie.
According to reports, officials from both Buckingham Palace and Downing Street had approached Johnson, hoping that he could change Harry’s mind. However, despite Johnson’s intervention, the Sussexes moved to Montecito, California, where they remain today after stepping away from their roles as working royals.
A friend of Johnson’s revealed that the former PM believed Harry and Meghan were a “great asset” to the UK and considered their departure a significant loss, particularly given their work in philanthropy and public service.
The memoir, set to be released on October 10, provides Johnson’s personal reflections on significant political events, including his leadership of the Brexit campaign and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also touches on his behind-the-scenes interactions with key figures, such as his attempts to prevent “Megxit.”
The timing of the book coincides with another memoir released by Johnson’s successor, Liz Truss, who gave her account of her short-lived tenure in Ten Years to Save the West. Both memoirs offer insight into the high-stakes decisions and personal challenges faced by the former UK prime ministers during their time in office.
As for Prince Harry, he has recently been making public appearances without Meghan, sparking media speculation about their relationship. Despite these rumors, Harry continues to maintain a busy schedule of charity work and public engagements.
