Love him or hate him, Prince Harry keeps proving he’s still that warm, cheeky, down-to-earth guy despite his title. After stepping back from royal duties and moving to California, he’s been praised, criticized, and everything in between. But his 2025 return to the UK reminded everyone why he’s so likable: he jokes, he hugs, he pets dogs, and he never takes himself too seriously.
1. He’s such a cute dad
Fatherhood turned Harry’s soft side up to eleven. When Archie was born in May 2019, he beamed on camera, gushing over Meghan and their adorable little guy. A few days later in the Netherlands, he was handed a tiny Invictus Games onesie and immediately modeled it against his chest with a deadpan “A bit long,” sending the crowd into giggles. Proud dad energy plus self-aware silliness— that’s the Harry sweet spot.
2. The dog-magnet prince
Harry’s been a dog person since he was a wee lad, and to this day, he just can’t resist the urge to pet a pupper when he sees one, even if it’s during a tragic event. In 2022, while meeting mourners after Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, Harry spotted a cute Italian greyhound named Luna, and instantly went for the ear and nose scritches, saying things like “Hello, sweetie” and “Who’s a good girl?” Then he joked that she could smell the other dogs on him. Even in a heavy moment, he made space for gentleness.
3. Balloon-sword duel at the WellChild Awards
At the 2025 WellChild Awards in London, Harry did something so charming that it may end up as a Disney movie one day. When 9-year-old Gwen challenged him to a balloon-sword fight, he didn’t hesitate. Suit on, grin locked, he grabbed a bright yellow “blade,” teased her for holding hers upside down, struck an exaggerated fencing stance, and then let her get in plenty of hits before pretending to “defeat” her. Classic Harry!
4. The tiny Speedo and the redhead banter
Unlike many other royals, Harry can dish it out and take it. In Vancouver in February 2025, Invictus Team Australia (yes, those guys again) gifted him, not another onesie, no, but the world’s tiniest blue Speedo. Any celebrity with a big Ego would take it as a mad diss, but Harry loved how inappropriate that gift was. He held it up like a fashion prop, soaking in the laughter and all the wild commentary from the people around him. And years earlier in Canberra, when a kid showed him a giant “Redheads Rule!” sign, he pulled a dramatic face and then leaned right into the joke. According to the boy, Harry told him being a redhead is “No. 1.” That self-mocking ease is why people feel comfortable teasing him.
5. When “protocol” met a 5-year-old superfan
Royal protocol dictates that one should not touch unless invited. Five-year-old Luke Vincent from Dubbo, Australia, must have overlooked that particular piece of etiquette and touched a member of the Royal family! Harry, being Harry, didn’t mind a bit. Kneeling to greet him during the 2018 tour, Harry got an immediate hug, then a fascinated beard inspection. Luke patted, stroked, and beamed, excited and awestruck. Meghan stepped in for some cuddle action, too, but Luke kept drifting back to Harry and his ginger whiskers. The video went viral due to its pure joy, devoid of any pomp, showcasing an innocent child and a prince sharing a moment.
6. A surprise visit to Kyiv
On a surprise trip to Ukraine in September of 2025, Harry visited the Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War and met veterans from across the country with the Invictus Games Foundation team. He kept it casual, donning a black shirt, a jacket, and navy trousers, but he took the time to greet everyone, even staying an extra 40 minutes to welcome late arrivals. His message that day was simple and grounded: we can’t stop the war, but we can help with recovery and continue to humanize the people living through it. It was careful, compassionate, and focused on action over headlines.