As Prince Harry’s 40th birthday approaches, a close friend is sharing insights about him. Bryony Gordon, a friend of the Duke of Sussex, has opened up about Harry ahead of his milestone birthday, describing him as “pretty damn normal.” Gordon, who has known Harry for around eight years, expressed in a recent article for the Daily Mail that people often seem disappointed when she describes him as kind, funny, and normal.
According to Gordon, “Whenever I share my honest opinion about him, I encounter skepticism. It seems that knowing him personally makes people doubt my perspective, as if my closeness to him disqualifies my opinions.”
Friend Bryony Gordon highlights Harry’s kindness, humor, and commitment to mental health and veterans’ support
She further noted, “Despite hearing negative comments about him, which don’t reflect the person I’ve come to know, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to supporting injured veterans and advancing mental health awareness in the UK.”
Meeting Harry in 2016, prior to his relationship with Meghan Markle, Gordon initially connected with him through the Heads Together campaign. She had invited him to be the first guest on her new mental health podcast, Bryony Gordon’s Mad World. To her surprise, he accepted, and she was impressed by his openness during the recording at Kensington Palace.
Gordon recalled, “Harry was quite anxious about sharing his thoughts, a reflection of the royal family’s traditional reluctance to discuss emotions. His openness about the impact of losing his mother, Princess Diana, was striking.”
Gordon mentioned that she did not expect to hear from Harry again after their initial meeting, but they continued to stay in touch through various mental health initiatives. In early 2018, she also met Meghan, who has since become a friend, and supported her charitable efforts in the UK.
During a visit to Frogmore Cottage and Buckingham Palace, Gordon maintained her connection with the couple. When Harry was preparing to release his memoir, Spare, she traveled to Montecito, California, for an interview. She fondly remembers spending time with them and their children, sharing tea and observing Harry’s DIY photo wall of his mother.
Gordon humorously recounted leaving a jar of homemade jam in a taxi, stating, “Somewhere in Los Angeles, a cab driver now has one of the earliest batches of American Riviera Orchard’s produce.”
Describing the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Gordon noted, “They are a remarkably ordinary couple in an extraordinary situation. They don’t put on airs and focus on shielding their children from the harsh realities of an increasingly digital world.”
She added, “Though it might not be what people want to hear, this is the reality I’ve experienced with them.”
As he approaches his 40th birthday, Prince Harry has shared that his primary focus remains on fatherhood. “The best gift I’ve ever been given is undoubtedly my children,” he says through his spokesperson. “Watching them grow each day and being their dad brings me immense joy.”
A source previously mentioned, “Harry is cautious about exposing his children to the public, not to hide them but to safeguard their privacy and security.” They emphasized his desire to ensure his children have as normal a life as possible, free from fear.
For his birthday celebration this weekend, Harry is expected to spend time with Meghan, Archie, and Lilibet, followed by a gathering with close international friends.
