When Prince George was born on July 22, 2013, the world celebrated the arrival of a future king. As the first child of Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, George’s birth marked a new chapter in royal history. But behind the public excitement, there was one subtle, yet deeply revealing reaction that caught attention: Prince Harry’s simple three-word response. According to royal insiders, Harry said, “Great — I’m thrilled.”
On the surface, the words seem polite and expected. But for those who know Prince Harry’s journey within the royal family, those three words were measured, meaningful, and possibly bittersweet.
A Change in Position
Until George’s birth, Prince Harry was third in line to the throne—after his father, Prince Charles, and his older brother, Prince William. But with the arrival of Prince George, Harry dropped to fourth, and later to fifth and sixth with the births of Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. While the line of succession may seem ceremonial to many, within the royal institution, it defines roles, expectations, and futures.
Some royal commentators interpreted Harry’s short response as a reflection of his understated feelings about his shifting role. While he genuinely loved his nephew and was excited for his brother, the birth also confirmed what he had long known: that he was now, more than ever, the “spare.”
The Spare's Reality
Harry has spoken candidly about this in recent years, especially in his 2023 memoir Spare. He revealed that from a young age, he understood his role was to support the heir—Prince William. While he never blamed George or his siblings, their arrival reinforced the idea that Harry’s place in the monarchy was increasingly peripheral.
The phrase “Great — I’m thrilled” may have also been Harry’s way of being supportive while shielding deeper emotions. It reflected a mixture of joy for his brother and sister-in-law, and perhaps an awareness that his own place in the royal family was becoming more symbolic than strategic.
A Family Moment
Despite any personal emotions, those close to Harry say he was genuinely happy to become an uncle. He doted on Prince George and was often seen joking and playing with him during early royal appearances. Friends described Harry as a fun-loving, hands-on uncle, who enjoyed bringing laughter to the young royals.
At the time of George’s birth, Harry was still serving in the British Army and living a relatively private life. He wasn’t yet the global figure he would become after marrying Meghan Markle and stepping back from royal duties in 2020. But George’s birth was a pivotal moment—not just for the monarchy, but for Harry personally.