Alison Hammond passionately defended Prince Harry after his surprise appearance on ITV's This Morning, calling him 'warm,' 'down to earth,' and 'truly inspiring.' The presenter shared her heartfelt reflections following a live interview with the Duke of Sussex at Birmingham's NEC on Friday, July 10, to kick off the countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games.
Surprise Appearance and Warm Exchange
Opening the show, Hammond said: 'I’m here celebrating the fact that the Invictus Games are going to be here in exactly one year's time, in 2027. The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry is going to be here and if you turn the camera, he’s just there.' The pair then took part in a race, ending with a hug and excited jumping. Later, they discussed the Invictus Games and its inspiration.
Harry praised Hammond's enthusiasm, saying: 'I am excited, but not as excited as you were and still are! You’re very excitable and I love that!' He also complimented her hoop earrings, prompting a 'thank you babes' from the Brummie host. Harry revealed his children love Junior Bake Off, adding: 'By the way, my kids love Junior Bake Off, absolutely love it, I love it as well.'
Family and Pride
When asked if his wife Meghan and children Archie and Lilibet are proud of him, Harry responded: 'They don’t tell me every day that they are proud of me, but yeah, I’m proud of them, they are proud of me. I love my family.'
Hammond's Passionate Defense
Back in the studio with co-hosts Dermot O'Leary and Angela Scanlon, Hammond reflected: 'I've recovered, but just listening to how Harry was speaking, it's just so eloquent, and he's so passionate and from the heart. He really does care. He speaks to everybody when he's here, and he loves to hear people's stories, and what he's done for these people is literally life-changing.'
She continued: 'It brings community, they get their lives back, they have something to look forward to, and the fact that the Invictus Games are here in Birmingham is so lovely. It's like a full circle for some of these people because it's where they healed, this is where they were put back together, at the Queen Elizabeth Military Hospital.'
Harry's Character Praised
Hammond added: 'It's been lovely meeting the veterans and lovely meeting Harry. What a guy! Do you know what I noticed about Harry? It's the fact he's so warm, so down to earth. You feel like he's your mate. It's Prince Harry, but the way he talks to you, it's just like you're a normal person, and he's a normal person.'
She joked: 'He's just told me he's going to bleach my toilets. He's coming round my house to bleach my toilets, are you actually joking?' Concluding, she said: 'He's so cool and so lovely, and with everything that's going on in his life, and what some people may say about him, ultimately, this man is doing things in life. He's a mover and a shaker. I feel like the Invictus Games is going to be part of his legacy. He is the man and I've really enjoyed meeting him. I know I joked around and stuff, but really, he's truly inspiring.'
