The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, is set to take centre stage at a high-profile Canadian real estate conference next month, where attendees will pay up to £272 per ticket to hear him speak.
Controversial Keynote for Property Professionals
Prince Harry will address 450 property professionals at the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) Power House conference in Toronto on December 1. The event, described by organisers as 'THE political event of the year', will see the Duke speak about 'service and leadership' at the city's Hilton hotel between 9am and 4.30pm.
Organisers have promoted Harry's appearance extensively, describing him as a 'humanitarian, mental health advocate, environmentalist and military combat veteran'. They claim he aims to create 'positive and lasting change for communities and the planet' through advancing conversations around resilience and healing.
Irony Noted in Royal Commentator's Scathing Assessment
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams provided a blistering critique of Harry's upcoming appearance, telling the Daily Mail: 'It seems ironic that Prince Harry is appearing at a real estate conference talking about 'service and leadership'. His service as a working royal lasted only 20 months once he married Meghan.'
Mr Fitzwilliams highlighted several concerns, including Harry's criticism of Sentebale's management while he was patron and his silence regarding human rights abuses admitted by Africa Parks, where he serves on the board. The commentator noted the particular irony given Harry's extensive history of living in grace-and-favour homes rather than personally owned property for most of his life.
The Sussex Property Portfolio: From Royal Homes to Global Empire
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's property history reveals a significant transformation since leaving royal duties:
- Frogmore Cottage: The couple's former Windsor home, where they paid £2.4million for refurbishment and rental of this Grade II-listed Crown Estate property
- Nottingham Cottage: Their first shared home at Kensington Palace between 2017-2019, where Harry had lived alone since 2013
- Montecito Mansion: Their first purchased property, acquired for $15million (£11million) in 2020 after moving to the US
- Portuguese Property: A home purchased last October, which royal experts suggest could form part of a 'global property empire'
Conference organisers have explicitly stated that Harry won't be speaking about real estate, despite the event's focus on 'real estate policy, housing supply and the Canadian economy'. Other speakers will include Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Green Party Ontario leader Mike Schreiner.
The event comes amid ongoing royal tensions, following Harry's recent Toronto visit that clashed with Prince William's Earthshot Prize ceremony. Palace sources disputed Harry's claim that the royal household was informed about his Toronto plans in advance, suggesting the announcement caught aides 'by surprise'.
