In an interview given at the end of his two day visit to New York Prince Harry has given a rare insight into his private life. The soon-to-be 25 year-old prince is currently training to become a pilot with the Army Air Corps. Having passed the elementary piloting course he is now training at RAF Shawbury where his brother Prince William is well into his own training with the Royal Air Force to become a search and rescue pilot.
Although Harry is described as a "natural pilot" by his flight instructors and was awarded the Horsa Trophy after his peers and instructors voted him as "the man you would most want on your squadron" when he finished the first phase of his training reports said that he has struggled with flight theory (leading him to have to re-sit an exam on the subject); something which Harry himself has recently confirmed.
Speaking to reporters after Saturday's polo match Prince Harry revealed that his visit to New York, hectic though it may have been, was a "nice break" from his training, which he resumes Monday.
Admitted Harry, "The flying courses are so intense, it surprised me. There's times when I thought, you know, I'm really not cut out for this. The flying's going fantastic, but mentally, there are the exams and everything. I mean, I can't do maths; I gave that up when I left school, as anyone does at that age. I thought, 'right, Maths-that's gone now.' But I've been throwing myself back in the deep end."
Fortunately for Harry he has a tutor at home who's already passed those hurdles. Earlier it was reported that the Princes William and Harry would share a rented house off base and that seems to be the case. Harry describes living with William as "fantastic" not least because he does the cooking. Said Harry, "We hardly ever see each other and now we are living together and it's fantastic, it really is. He does most of the cooking while I just laze around watching TV and doing my work."
Harry went on to joke, "He has more time on his hands because the RAF don't have to work as hard as the Army. Slip that in!"
One reporter then asked, "Do you do the washing up though?"
Harry replied, "Yeah, I do the washing up." Then teased, "How do you know that? Have you been spying on us? House is bugged-typical!"
Asked which is the better pilot Harry replied more diplomatically, "Hopefully, we're as good as each other. We've got the rest of the family to look up to. Most of them flew-some better then others-but I'm the first one to go through the Army training side of things. And it's all very different now. We're training for a different kind of war. I just hope I get through in one piece and William and I continue our fun together without arguing."
Speaking to Matt Lauer (who interviewed he and Prince William in 2007 before the Concert for Diana) Harry said of his visit, "It's my first trip to the Big Apple and it's absolutely fantastic, it really is. I've been so well looked after by everybody and just so . . . the accommodation of the American people has been really fantastic."
Asked about his impression of the World Trade Center where he laid a wreath in memory of the 2,750 people who died there in 2001 Harry said, "I think I was slightly surprised. I don't let myself get moved by too much, especially in public. But it was very surprising to be down there and to see the scale of it. I never really knew what to expect, I never even saw the site on television. But as you say, very, very, very moving the couple of hours that I spent down there. Great to meet all the fire fighters as well. And the families; it was truly inspirational the way they've pulled themselves forward in the last few years."
On May 29th Prince Harry met and spoke privately to injured American war Veterans. Speaking of his own experiences of war Harry said, "It's impossible to describe how it's changed me. I don't think anyone can really describe it. It's the same for everybody. I mean, American, British, everyone—any country that's in Afghanistan at the moment—the guys out there will try to explain to loved-ones and other people what it's like but unless you're there with the boys, with the guys, you can't really describe it."
Lauer asked, "Does it change you?"
Replied Harry, "I think it changes every single person who has come back to be honest with you. And it's very different for single guys who go out there. It's a completely different story if you're married and you've got loved ones and children back home. I think it's a very different story. But, as I said, when everyone's out there you're brothers no matter what nation you're from and it's the most amazing feeling. And it does. It changes you."
Matt Lauer went on to ask the prince how he makes the transition from his life as a privileged prince to working with some of the world’s most disadvantaged people. Asked Lauer, "Do you ever find it difficult Harry to make the transition between those worlds?"
Harry replied, "Massively. I think deep down inside, I'm three different people. I don't know whether that's a good thing or a bad thing. But I can - I think you have to - jump from place to place. And you have to go along with the situation you're in. Yeah, it's very different. Wherever you are, different places, different people—you've just got to roll with it and I hope I'm doing all right by that. But as you say, yeah, it's polo in the afternoon, poor kids in the morning, World Trade Center yesterday. It's been a rollercoaster but its fantastic."
Matt Lauer finished by asking the bemused Prince, who is said to be a fan of the show Britian's Got Talent, what he thought of singer Susan Boyle's (who's performance of 'I Dreamed a Dream' earned her many American fans after it appeared on the internet) chances were of winning the competition.
Said Harry, "I shouldn't probably say but I'm going to say anyway. Susan Boyle; I think she's fantastic. But lets be honest, I think she's going to get the fame no matter what. She's going to get the opportunity to sing in front of thousands--"
"Are you saying you don't think she's going to win?" interrupted Lauer.
"No. That is exactly what I'm saying."
"And are you willing to put your winner up against America's Got Talent winner?" asked Lauer.
"Ooo! Yeah. Sounds like a challenge."
Earlier that day while visiting the Harlem Children's Zone Prince Harry spoke to a reporter from the BBC. Said Harry, "Its my first visit to New York, hopefully I'll come back and visit again. The whole trip—everything's just been fantastic. And the sun's shining as well. It's not raining which is always nice."
Asked "Do you think this trip will change the public's image of you?"
Harry replied, "I don't know what the public's image is of me. There's always the image that's been given to me but you know, people have their own opinion. It's the media that like to stamp on the image that isn't really me."
Given the fact that all reporters seem to ask him that same question whenever Harry’s undertaking serious charitable and royal duties the smart money should go on, no, Harry’s play boy image isn't likely to be taken off his shoulders.
The reporter then asked, "So you want to do more overseas engagements like this, do you think?"
"Only if I'm welcome," Harry laughed.
Given the warm reception he received in the United States I'm sure Prince Harry would be welcomed back anytime he likes.