LONDON (AP) – Prince Harry, who moved from England to southern California last year, rapped the sitcom theme song “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” during an evening talk show in which he said that don’t stray from your real duties.
During a segment of the CBS television show “The Late, Late Show with James Corden,” which aired on Friday, Harry said he decided to step down from his job as a frontline member of the royal family to protect his wife and son – and his mental health.
“It was a step backwards rather than a resignation,” he told Corden. “It was a really tough environment, which I think a lot of people saw, so I did what any parent or husband would do and I thought, ‘How do I get my family out of here?’ But we never moved away and, as far as I’m concerned, whatever decisions are made on that side, I will never give up. “
The appearance marked Harry’s first interview since his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, removed the prince and his wife, former actress Meghan Markle, from their remaining royal duties earlier this month. Corden’s coup overcame Oprah Winfrey, whose interview with the couple is scheduled to air on March 7.
The Queen announced her decision on February 19, saying that it was not possible for the couple to “continue with the responsibilities and duties inherent in a life of public service” after they left the work of the Royal Family. Harry and Meghan responded by saying “service is universal” and underscoring their commitment to the UK, an answer seen by some as disrespectful to the queen.
Whatever the issues that divided royalty, Harry suggested that he and Meghan remain in contact with the monarch and her husband, Prince Philip. Harry told Corden that the monarch gave Harry and Meghan’s son, Archie, a waffle maker at Christmas and that the older royalty had seen the child “running around” in California via Zoom.
The prince also offered a glimpse into the couple’s life in the wealthy enclave of Montecito in Santa Barbara County, where they usually watch the game show “Jeopardy” and the Netflix shows before going to bed. Archie’s first word was “crocodile,” said Harry.
During the gay segment, which did not touch the royal couple’s commercial ventures, Corden and the prince traveled through Southern California on an open bus. At one point they arrived outside the mansion where Will Smith’s “Fresh Prince” opening sequence was filmed.
“If it was good enough for Prince Fresco, it is good enough for a real prince,” says Corden, going up the road. “Do you remember the song?”
– That’s the story, all about how my life changed, turned upside down, now stop a minute – Harry knocked before asking Corden for help.
– And sit there, I’ll tell you how I became the prince of the city called … – Corden interrupts.
“Bel-Air,” Harry ends the song.
Corden then jokingly tried to convince Harry to buy the huge mansion by making a video call to Meghan in search of his support. She objected.
“I think we’ve moved around enough,” she said.
Meghan then asked “Haz” how his tour of Los Angeles was going, which prompted Corden to ask Harry about the nickname.
“I didn’t know we were calling you Haz now,” said Corden.
“You are not my wife,” Harry replied with a shrug, while the two men laughed.