The Duke of Sussex joked with an audience in London after noticing several people filming him on their mobile phones, despite being asked not to use them during the event.
Prince Harry made the light-hearted remark as he took to the stage at the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards on Thursday, where he delivered a keynote speech about sustainable tourism and his environmental initiative, Travalyst.
Phone remark at the awards
Harry, who made an unannounced appearance at the Old Royal Naval College, appeared amused by the number of phones pointed in his direction and quipped: "All I can see is phones. You guys, literally he just talked about it." The Prince was referring to the speaker who had addressed the audience before him, seemingly reminding guests of the request not to record on their devices.
Harry, 42, was attending the event to represent Travalyst, the non-profit organisation he founded in 2019 to encourage more sustainable practices across the travel industry.
Speech on sustainability
During his speech, he explained that the industry had a responsibility to protect the destinations that make tourism possible, adding that sustainability was not simply an obligation but also made good business sense. The Duke later joined representatives from Germany for a photograph after the country won the award for the most desirable destination for sustainability.
During the surprise keynote speech, dad-of-two Harry said: "I founded Travalyst in 2019 because I believe that an industry built on extraordinary places of our world has both a responsibility and a business imperative to protect them."
Speaking after the address, Prince Harry said: "I started Travalyst because I believe deeply in travel as a force for good. But if tourism stops working for the people who call these destinations home, eventually it stops working for everyone."
"By collaborating as an industry, we can ensure nature survives and destinations thrive, while travel remains a source of prosperity, connection and exploration for generations to come."
Remembrance Sunday message
It has been a busy week for the duke, as he has also addressed military families ahead of Remembrance Sunday. Harry, who completed two tours of duty of Afghanistan, is understood to be marking Remembrance Sunday — the first since he has returned to live in the UK — privately this year.
But in a poignant message to others, the prince said: "Navigating the grief of losing a loved one doesn’t leave you, no matter how old you are. Know that you are not alone, as this is one of the most universal experiences of being human."
