Prince Harry Drops Bombshell: The Royal Family is banned from exercising a right that everyone takes for granted

Prince Harry surprised an audience in Los Angeles this week with a candid revelation about a basic democratic right that many people take for granted but one he was never allowed to exercise:

voting. Speaking at the Upfront Summit on February 27, the Duke of Sussex opened up about the stark contrasts between his life as a senior royal in the U.K. and his new life in the U.S. with Meghan Markle.

In his speech, Harry made a striking admission: “I’m not one to be caught in the divide between left or right views, not cornered by a belief in blue or red,” he said. “Hell, I’ve never even been allowed to vote.” While it’s not illegal for British royals to vote (except for the reigning monarch), members of the royal family traditionally avoid participating in elections to maintain political neutrality.

Historically, royal dukes like Harry were even legally barred from voting because they could sit in the House of Lords. Although that rule was technically lifted in 1999, the royal family has continued to steer clear of the ballot box—a practice Harry now seems to find puzzling and perhaps even frustrating.

Harry also reflected on how his perspective on service has evolved since stepping back from his royal duties and moving to California in 2020. “The way that I answer the question of how we invest in our shared future is different now living in the U.S. than when I was in the U.K.,” he explained. “Before I moved, so much of my life revolved around charity. Since then, while my charities remain a core part of my life’s work, I’ve also been focusing on upstream solutions and prevention—addressing problems before they require fixing.”

Despite this shift in focus, Harry emphasized that service remains at the heart of his work. He credited his military experience and global travels as key influences on his outlook. “From Nigeria to Nepal, and from Sydney to Santa Barbara, when you put others first, you build stronger, more sustainable systems,” he said.

Harry also spoke about the lasting impact of the Invictus Games, which he founded in 2014 to support wounded veterans, and the work he and Meghan do through their Archewell Foundation.

We show up and do good for those who need it most, supporting social impact initiatives—including digital safety and education—all under the umbrella of protecting our collective mental health,” he shared.

Harry’s comments at the summit once again underscore how much he has distanced himself from the traditional expectations of the royal family. Since moving to the U.S., he and Meghan have carved out a new path focused on activism, philanthropy, and business ventures.

His remarks about voting highlight just how different his life is now compared to his years as a working royal. One thing is clear: if Prince Harry ever gets the chance to cast a vote, it’s something he won’t take lightly.

His journey from royal life to a more independent, service-driven existence continues to captivate and inspire—and his latest revelation adds another layer to his ongoing story of transformation.