Prince Harry has sparked fresh controversy following his unconventional appearance at the 14th annual Concordia Summit, where he supported the Diana Award. During the event, the Duke of Sussex appeared to take on what some observers described as “journalistic duties”, a move that took many by surprise.
Royal correspondent Cameron Walker expressed his amazement at Prince Harry’s approach, particularly during a panel discussion featuring two Diana Legacy Award winners. Instead of delivering a traditional speech, Harry opted to interact with the panellists by asking them questions, something some considered unusual for a royal figure.
Commenting on the event during an appearance on GB NewsWalker said: “It was strange, actually, because it wasn’t Prince Harry speaking to the crowd. It was him almost acting as a journalist and asking questions to some young people, two young people who won the Diana Legacy Award.” He went on to note that the Duke’s decision to take on this role was unexpected, given his usual presence as a keynote speaker at events.
Walker also highlighted that many of the topics discussed during the panel revolved around mental health and climate change, which are causes close to Harry’s heart. The event coincided with UN Climate Week in New York, where Harry will be taking part in discussions on climate action.
During the summit, Prince Harry spoke passionately about mental health, stressing the universal impact of the issue. “It affects each and every one of us, from the highest to the lowest, from the youngest to the oldest.” He commentedShe praised the award winners for their efforts to address mental health challenges, saying: “I think you guys are leading the way in hopefully being able to break the stigma and be able to continue these conversations.”
In an effort to reframe the way society views mental health, the Duke of Sussex proposed an alternative term, suggesting that “mental health” should be rebranded as “mental fitness.” He explained that this change It could help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage more people to seek support.
While Prince Harry’s commitment to mental health advocacy is well-known, his change in style at the Concordia Summit — acting more like an interviewer than a speaker — surprised royal watchers. His decision to take on a more journalistic role during the event drew mixed reactions: some praised his ability to meaningfully engage with the award winners, while others questioned whether it was appropriate for a royal figure to take such a position.
As Prince Harry continues to champion causes like mental health and climate action, his changing public role remains a topic of debate — and this latest appearance only adds to the discussion surrounding his unique approach to royal duties.
