Harry says children should be an ‘upgrade’ of their parents
Prince Harry Emphasizes Parenting Evolution in Australia
During his short visit to Australia, the Duke of Sussex has brought together his interests in mental health advocacy and sports, participating in activities that highlight both passions. His remarks focused on the transformation of parenting roles, reflecting personal insights from his own journey as a father. The royal couple, now engaging in private capacities, is blending charitable engagements with commercial opportunities, including Meghan’s exploration of expanding her As Ever lifestyle brand in the region.
AFL Engagement and Mental Health Discourse
Harry took part in a session with players from the Western Bulldogs, an AFL team central to Melbourne’s sporting culture, offering a glimpse into the game. Separately, he served as a keynote speaker at a Movember initiative examining the mental health challenges faced by fathers of young children. The event underscored a critical need for fathers to seek support when overwhelmed, a message Harry delivered with personal conviction.
“The world around us has changed massively, so there’s no version of where parenting is going to be the same as we experienced,” he remarked. “I see parenting evolving all the time. From my perspective, our kids are our upgrades.” That’s not how I was taught, but that was my take on it. Not to say I was an upgrade of my dad or that my kids are an upgrade of me. “That’s the approach that I take, to know that with the world the way that it goes, the kids that we bring up in today’s world need to be an upgrade.”
Harry’s reflections highlighted the generational shift in fatherhood, stressing that even the most nurturing upbringing leaves room for growth. He also noted the societal stigma surrounding men seeking help, arguing that vulnerability is a strength rather than a weakness. “The more grief I get for talking about it, the more I want to stand up and talk about it. I know if I go quiet about it – what does that say to everyone else?”
Support for Indigenous Causes and Policy Change
Nathan Appo, the first Indigenous Australian on Movember’s global board, praised Harry’s efforts to use his platform for global impact. “It’s hard not to be drawn to people like that,” he said, emphasizing the Duke’s role in empowering communities. Appo, a Mamu man from Far North Queensland, linked many challenges faced by First Nations Australians to the legacy of British colonialism, which was implemented by the Duke’s ancestors over two and a half centuries ago.
“As you travel around the world, connecting with Indigenous people to understand their history and what our people face regularly, the barriers that we face… and how that impacts on health is really important,” Appo explained. He added that Harry’s engagement reflects a commitment to informed policy reform. “Building your knowledge to give you a good understanding of how you can change policy for the better is really important, and I think Harry is someone who does that.”
Other notable attendees included entertainers Lachlan Gillespie and John Pearce, co-founders of the iconic children’s group The Wiggles. Gillespie highlighted Harry’s presence as significant for raising awareness about men’s health. “I think what’s important is he’s here talking about men’s health,” he noted, underscoring the relevance of the discussion to broader societal issues.
