Prince Harry’s Californian accent in Invictus Games promo video sparks debate over his Americanization

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Prince Harry's latest promotional video for the Invictus Games has not only drawn attention to the event but also to his noticeable use of a "Californian accent" and American slang.

Despite his education at Eton and being taught to speak the King's English, it seems he is now shedding his original accent.

Prince Harry’s Californian accent in promo video

Prince Harry, 40, and Meghan Markle, 43, stepped away from their roles as senior working royals in 2020, and moved to California to start a new life and explore opportunities.

Harry had previously expressed happiness over residing in the United States with his wife, children, Archie, who is five, and Lilibet, aged three, calling his American life  "amazing".

Meghan Markle is a native Californian and resides within an hour-and-a half's drive from her birthplace in Los Angeles.

Fans are now convinced that Harry has picked up Meghan's American accent and expressions, following a video that surfaced showing him receiving a fake tattoo earlier this week.

The two-minute skit featuring musician Jelly Roll, shot at the New York tattoo parlor East Side Ink, had people noting his shift to a Cali cool style. Roll will headline the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games.

The video, created to promote the Invictus Games, features the duke using the American phrase "Screw it, let's do it," directed at Roll.

He then adopted several American mannerisms, addressing the tattoo artist as "dude" and adding, "That [tattoo] feels big man."

He also seemed to suggest that the ink could be placed on his "a**," rather than using the English expression, which is "a***."

Experts analyze Prince Harry’s evolving accent

Experts believe Prince Harry’s evolving accent aligns with his efforts to be more relatable and reflective of his current environment.

Anthony Shuster, a communication coach and accent specialist, spoke to The Telegraph, stating, "You notice that there's a huge difference between the way the King speaks and the way these guys speak."

Shuster examined another video featuring Harry from 2004, captured during his gap year, which included an eight-week stint in Lesotho.

The language specialist mentioned that research shows children from wealthy backgrounds drop their 't's to sound "less posh".

Jennifer Dorman, an expert in linguistics, noted that Harry's vocabulary has become more Americanized following his significant relocation in 2020. During the 2021 podcast recordings with his wife, Harry began to frequently use phrases such as "awesome" and "you guys", it was observed.

"It could be that Prince Harry has started to borrow American phrases and words in order to fit in and be understood better by the American press," she told Cosmopolitan in 2021.

"Or he may just be mimicking his wife: interacting at a close level with someone all the time can cause us to pick up their speaking habits," she added.

Internet reacts to Prince Harry’s Californian accent

Prince Harry’s accent stirred debate online as people spotted American influences in his accent in the promotional video for the Invictus Games.

"Ahhh come on Harry, you didn't get a tattoo after all?? He is so sweet and adorable aww i love him. The people's Prince. And he totally has an American accent now."

Another shared a GIF of a woman clapping joyfully. "Me everytime Prince Harry speaks and his British accent sounds more diluted to make way for the American accent."

The third commentator remarked, "He is picking up American words. That's good."

"American slang, a bit of the accent. I love it!" a fan said.

A comment read, "Taking a brief moment from my Hiatus just to say: It Sounds Like My Cousin Prince Harry is losing his British Accent."

Conversely, some called out Harry for adopting a new accent.

A person said, "It is obvious he is trying too hard. He still sounds too British for Americans."

Another chimed in, "Lol, I am watching it now. He uses an American accent. Its been 4 years, born and brought up in the most British speaking family in England and it took him 4 years to speak in an American accent. He is fake, fake, fake and a loser."

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