Prince Harry made a witty 10-word joke about his former royal duties during a visit to Birmingham Children's Hospital on Thursday, July 9, 2026. The Duke of Sussex, who stepped back from royal life in 2020, quipped, “I haven’t cut a cake for a very long time,” when asked to perform the ceremonial task.
Joke Highlights Non-Working Royal Status
The cake-cutting request is a traditional activity for working members of the Royal Family, but Harry has not been a working royal since he and Meghan Markle stepped down in 2020. The duke appeared surprised by the request before making the lighthearted remark, according to reports. He then proceeded to cut the raspberry and white chocolate sponge cake.
Visit Marks WellChild Anniversary
Harry’s visit celebrated the 20th anniversary of the first WellChild Nurse, a role established in 2006 to support children with complex medical needs and their families. As patron of WellChild, the duke spent time chatting with nurses, patients, and families, expressing gratitude for their work.
He told the nurses: “I don’t know if you hear it enough, the difference that you make every single day is quite literally changing daily lives.” He added, “I understand, and we understand, that it becomes harder every week with cuts and financial difficulties… just the insanity that seems to be circulating, not just in this country but in general. But hospitals like this don’t run without people like you, and families like this can’t be families that they want to be at home without the expertise and the skill set that you’re handing over to them, and WellChild is right at the centre of that.”
Impact of His Remarks
The joke underscores Harry’s ongoing separation from royal duties, a topic that has drawn attention since his departure. His visit to the UK, which began on Monday, has also sparked discussion about security arrangements, with some Britons reportedly unwilling to fund his protection.
