Royal correspondent reveals hidden facts about Prince Harry
<p>Royal correspondent Duncan Larcombe has followed Harry around the world for more than a decade and has revealed several things many don’t know about the famous prince.</p>
<p>The former editor of <em>The Sun</em> and author of <em>Prince Harry: The Inside Story</em> told <em>Cosmopolitan </em>what he found out following the 33-year-old so closely.</p>
<p><strong>1. He sometimes lacks confidence</strong></p>
<p>Although many assume the prince is confident, Duncan revealed that he is “full of self-doubt”. “He is actually quite an insecure person and isn’t the most confident of characters,” Duncan said.</p>
<p>He added the prince is talked about being “flash” but he is “actually very frugal”. Duncan explained that he is more likely to book himself an economy seat on British Airways or Virgin rather than hire a private jet. “He hardly ever spends money… He doesn’t have an incredibly extravagant lifestyle.”</p>
<p><strong>2. He cares about others’ opinions</strong></p>
<p>Unlike other members of the royal family, Harry “religiously” reads what is written about him in the media, Duncan said. It is “a sign probably deep down he is worried about what people think of him. He would have been incredibly upset at the criticism he received recently when he said no-one wants to be the monarch."</p>
<p><strong>3. Harry and Meghan work well together</strong></p>
<p>Duncan explained that Harry has found someone who is “quite perfect for him”. According to Duncan, because Meghan is “famous in her own right” things have been easier for the couple who are always in the spotlight. “She didn't have to get over that barrier that the other girlfriends have failed to, so they are already starting off better.” Duncan also believes the pair are likely to get engaged.</p>
<p><strong>4. He’s great with kids</strong></p>
<p>Duncan described the prince as being “really good with kids”. “There are many times I’ve seen him where he has to talk to a child and he just connects with them,” he said. Duncan added that generally, young kids have no idea who he is and Harry prefers it that way.</p>
<p><strong>5. He’s “frighteningly honest” and down to earth</strong></p>
<p>Duncan had the opportunity to sit down with the prince for a couple of hours and found him to be “chilled out” and “relaxed”. “You just thought: 'Actually, this guy's quite a nice lad.' You would never have a chat like that with the Queen or Prince Charles. It was very surreal."</p>
<p><strong>6. He’s matured over the years</strong></p>
<p>Although Harry “likes a drink”, Duncan says the prince is more likely to be standing with a pint in the beer garden rather than dancing on tables. "I wouldn't say the partying days are over but the Harry we see now in his early 30s is a very different character from the guy we saw aged 18."</p>
<p>"[When I first started the job] it looked like there was this young member of the royal family who was an absolute liability, out of control and a reluctant royal."</p>
<p>“Now, recently, Harry himself has come out and admitted that he was very angry and bottling up everything after his mother's death.”</p>
<p><em>Larcombe has used his rare insight to publish his new book: Prince Harry: The Inside Story by Duncan Larcombe is published by HarperCollins.<a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/9780008196486/prince-harry-the-inside-story" target="_blank"></a></em></p>
