Prince Harry Reportedly Smiled & Chose Not to Answer Royal Exit Question at 1st Official Outing since the Announcement
Prince Harry is keeping quiet about him and Meghan Markle's royal exit. However, he was all smiles as he prepared for the Rugby League World Cup 2021 draw.
A week since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made the shocking announcement that they have decided to step down as senior members of the royal family, he made his first public appearance.
Harry looked cheerful and unbothered as he played host for the draw for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup at Buckingham Palace.
In 2016, Harry was made the patron of the Rugby World League after Queen Elizabeth had held the position for 64 years.
Ahead of the draw, Harry met with representatives from all 21 of the nations participating in the event.
Prince Harry smiles as he hosts the Rugby League World Cup 2021 draws for the men's, women's and wheelchair tournaments at Buckingham Palace, on January 16, 2020, in London, England | Source: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
The Rugby League World Cup will take place in October and November 2021 in 17 cities across England.
For the first time in the tournament's history, the men's, women's and wheelchair will be held simultaneously.
As Harry prepared to take center stage for the tournament's draw, one reporter couldn't help address the elephant in the room and asked him how discussions were going concerning his future in the royal family.
According to PEOPLE, Harry didn't answer the question. However, a source at the event said he laughed about the reporter's attempt to get answers from him over his private matters with his family.
Former Rugby League player Jason Robinson, who was at the draw, stood in support of Harry's silence on his royal exit, and also shut down personal questions about Harry, he said:
"What happens between him and his good wife is nothing at all to do with me. What's great about this is that it does not matter what is going on in the background, wherever he goes he still delivers."
Reportedly, Harry has lost contact with many of his close friends amid his transition from the royal family, and they are harbouring some resentment. Other colleagues have given their support for his move calling him "selfless."
As many questions about Harry's future remain unanswered, so to do the questions about the fate of his patronages. It is reported, the launch of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup will be his final engagement as a senior member of the royal family.