Prince Harry urges ‘compassion’ as ‘world gets harder’ during surprise appearance at NY Summit

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Prince Harry shared his thoughts on the importance of service and community action during a recent public appearance.

The Duke of Sussex, 40, spoke at the 2025 NEXUS Global Summit in New York City, where he encouraged next-generation leaders to stay grounded in kindness despite growing global hardships.

Prince Harry says 'compassion can shrink' as the world gets harder

Joined by Rachel Gerrol, co-founder and CEO of NEXUS, Prince Harry took part in a session titled 'Building Tomorrow: A Conversation on Service, Impact & Collective Action with Prince Harry'.

During the discussion, Harry reflected on why he and Meghan Markle founded the Archewell Foundation after stepping away from royal duties in 2020. He noted how people often become less empathetic during difficult times.

“As the world gets harder, as people’s lives become harder, compassion can shrink,” Harry said to the audience, according to the New York Post.

He added that his inspiration continues to come from a life of service.

“The thing that gives me the most hope is the grassroots approach,” he shared. “Many of you here today are connected and involved with so many community solutions, because it’s what energizes all of you, and that service part is really what energizes me as well.”

Prince Harry encourages attendees to 'keep giving back'

Prince Harry encouraged attendees to keep giving back and to use their influence to support others.

“Whatever you put out there, you get back,” Harry said.

He spoke about moving to Montecito, California, with Markle and launching the Archewell Foundation to “meet the moment by showing up, taking action, and using our unparalleled spotlight to uplift and unite communities.”

The Invictus Games founder’s appearance comes shortly after reports surfaced suggesting he has regrets about how his royal exit unfolded. According to OK!, Harry “wishes that he’d done things differently” regarding his family rift.

Harry and Markle were not invited to Trooping the Colour for the third consecutive year earlier this month. The couple last attended in 2022 during Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee but watched the event from a separate balcony reserved for non-working royals.

Earlier this year, Harry also lost his appeal for taxpayer-funded security in the UK, later saying he “couldn’t see a world” where he’d bring children Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 4, back to Britain under such conditions.

Prince Harry slammed over his 'compassion' remarks

Online users were quick to respond to Prince Harry's comments, with many expressing frustration over what they saw as hypocrisy.

“The climate Prince private jetting around to preach kindness. Where was this kindness when he was telling lies about his family?” wrote one person on X.

“Please Harry, tell us more about how hard your life is..,” added another.

 “His compassion for the Queen was…non existent so…..,” wrote one user.

“Grifters drifting,” commented another.

“The world has gotten harder because soyboys like you got softer,” someone else posted.

“After spewing public hate towards his family. Can someone please buy him a mirror?” asked another user.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.