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Prince Harry's transformation from a prim and proper British royal to a more relaxed, "Cali cool" personality has caught the attention of many, especially with his recent interviews and public appearances.
His time in California, where he relocated with wife Meghan Markle and their children in 2020, appears to be leaving a noticeable mark on his accent, sparking both fascination and confusion among fans.
In a candid interview with the BBC, Harry opened up about his ongoing legal battle over his UK security arrangements and discussed the challenges of living outside the UK.
However, while royal watchers were focused on the subject matter, many couldn't help but notice a subtle shift in Harry's once unmistakably British accent. During the conversation, he seemed to adopt a mild American twang, particularly when dropping certain consonants, such as the 'T' in words like "citizen," "putting," and "security."
This linguistic feature, known as the "Quick T," makes the 'T' sound more like a 'D', which is typical of American speech patterns.
The changing accent: From Eton to Montecito
Prince Harry's change in speech seems to be the result of years spent in the United States, particularly in the laid-back atmosphere of Montecito, California. According to linguistics experts, his accent has evolved significantly since he moved there with Meghan, and it is now taking on characteristics of the American West Coast.
In particular, Harry's tendency to drop the 'T' sound in certain words has become more pronounced, which many listeners have found surprising given his royal upbringing and formal training in the Queen's English.
This accent shift also appears in his everyday vocabulary. In a 2021 interview, Harry used the word "awesome" and phrases like "you guys," which are common in American English but would be considered informal or even inappropriate in traditional British speech.
This mirrors his wife Meghan's influence, as she is naturally American, and both Harry and Meghan likely adapt their language patterns to communicate more comfortably in their new home.
Notably, his use of American slang and the softening of his British speech even appear in a lighthearted skit filmed in New York. During a segment to promote The Invictus Games, Harry used expressions like "Screw it, let's do it," and called a tattoo artist "dude," adopting a more casual tone than one might expect from a member of the British royal family.
The Duke of Sussex also dropped the British spelling of certain words, such as using "a**" instead of the more traditionally British "a***," further highlighting his Americanization.
Experts believe this change could be partly influenced by Harry's desire to fit in more easily with his new surroundings. Communication coach Anthony Shuster pointed out that Harry's shift reflects a growing trend among people from affluent backgrounds who purposely soften their accents to appear less "posh" and more relatable.
Over time, it seems that Harry is mirroring the American way of speaking, potentially to build better rapport with American audiences.