Nigel Farage took a brutal swipe at Prince Harry as the Reform UK leader spoke at a Right-wing conference in the US.
The Reform UK leader joked that Britain “gave” America the Duke of Sussex and added that they could “keep him”.
The Clacton MP told the Conservative Political Action Conference: “We very often follow you, American trends, we tend to follow you. You occasionally follow some of our trends.
“I mean you gave us woke, we gave you Prince Harry.”
Mr Farage’s comment prompted laughter and boos from members of the audience.
He added: “No, you keep him, you keep him.”
Harry quit royal duties in 2020 with his wife Meghan Markle for new lives of personal and financial freedom across the pond.
Nigel Farage speaks at CPAC (Image: GB NEWS)
Mr Farage went on to declare that his insurgent party would win the next general election in the UK and “save our country”.
He said: “In 2016, we delivered a political thunderbolt across the whole world and it was called Brexit.
“And I believe that a wave crossed the Atlantic and helped Donald Trump win the presidency in November 2016.
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“Well, this time the Trump win has the ability not just to save your country, not just to make you freer and more prosperous than America has ever been because undoubtedly that is what is going to happen, but it’s also producing a wave that is now coming the other way across the Atlantic.
“I had been retired from politics for nearly four years, but I decided last June I’d get back into politics because I couldn’t bear what was happening in my country.
“I am now leading Reform UK and we are now topping every opinion poll in Britain. And we are going to win the next general election and save our country. We’re going to do it.”
‘You Keep Him!’ Nigel Farage Takes Brutal Swipe at Prince Harry in Major US Speech
Nigel Farage sparked laughter and renewed debate after taking a pointed swipe at Prince Harry during a major appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) near Washington in February 2025. Addressing an audience of American conservatives, the Reform UK leader joked about the cultural influences exchanged between Britain and the United States, delivering a punchline that placed the Duke of Sussex firmly in the spotlight.
“You gave us woke and we gave you Prince Harry,” Farage told the audience. When the prince’s name prompted whistles and a reaction from the crowd, he added: “You keep him, you keep him!” The remarks formed part of a speech in which Farage praised Donald Trump and argued that the American president’s political resurgence could influence the direction of politics across Europe. <Cite refs={[“turn590215news4″,”turn590215news5”]}/>
The quip was characteristic of Farage’s public speaking style, combining humour, political messaging and criticism of figures he believes represent a broader cultural shift. It also revived a longstanding dispute over Prince Harry’s relationship with Britain, his decision to step back from royal duties and his life in the United States with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
Although the joke was delivered in a light-hearted setting, it reflected deeper disagreements about the monarchy, celebrity activism and the meaning of national identity.
Why Farage Targeted Prince Harry
Farage has criticised Harry on several occasions since the prince and Meghan stepped back from their roles as senior working royals in 2020 and subsequently established their lives in California.
The Reform UK leader has taken issue with the couple’s public interventions on social and environmental issues, arguing that their positions have contributed to a change in how they are perceived by some members of the British public.
In 2019, Farage described Harry as a less popular figure than during his younger years, when the prince was known for his military service and more informal public image. Farage argued that Harry’s environmental campaigning had changed how some people viewed him. <Cite refs={[“turn590215search1″,”turn590215search0”]}/>
Harry’s supporters, however, regard his work on mental health, veterans’ welfare and other charitable causes as an extension of his public service. His departure from royal duties has also been presented by the couple as a decision to pursue greater independence and protect their family life.
The disagreement illustrates a broader division over the expectations placed on members of the royal family. Some believe senior royals should avoid political controversies, while others argue that public figures should be able to speak about issues they consider important.
Farage’s comments fit into this continuing debate, although the joke itself was directed at Harry’s relocation to America rather than constituting a detailed argument about royal responsibilities.
The Political Message Behind the Joke
The CPAC appearance was significant because Farage used the event to connect British politics with the wider movement of right-wing populism associated with Trump.
The Reform UK leader argued that political developments in the United States could influence elections across Europe. He presented Trump’s return to the White House as evidence that voters were increasingly prepared to challenge established political parties and institutions.
Immigration, national sovereignty and dissatisfaction with political elites were central themes of his address. Farage argued that these issues could also shape Britain’s political future.
His joke about Prince Harry provided a lighter moment in a speech otherwise focused on political change. It also drew a distinction between the cultural influences Farage associated with America and the British figure he suggested the country had exported in return.
Such remarks can help politicians connect with audiences by turning complicated political disagreements into memorable lines. However, a joke that receives a positive response from one audience may be viewed differently by others.
The reaction at CPAC demonstrated the appeal of Farage’s humour to at least some people in the room, but it cannot establish how British or American audiences as a whole regard Harry.
Prince Harry’s Life in America
Harry and Meghan moved away from their positions as senior working royals in 2020 and subsequently settled in California. Their decision marked a major change in their relationship with the monarchy and the British royal household.
Since then, they have pursued charitable projects, media ventures and public initiatives outside the traditional structure of royal duties.
Their decision has attracted both support and criticism. Some people believe the couple should be free to establish an independent life while continuing their charitable work. Others argue that their public criticism of aspects of royal life has damaged the institution or conflicted with expectations associated with their former roles.
Harry has also spoken publicly about his concerns regarding press intrusion and the wellbeing of his family. These issues have become an important part of his public identity since leaving Britain.
Farage’s remarks reduce this complicated history to a sharp political punchline. While that may work as entertainment, the underlying questions about privacy, public responsibility and the monarchy remain more complicated than the joke suggests.
A Wider Debate About the British Monarchy
The dispute also highlights the challenges facing the British monarchy as public expectations evolve.
Members of the royal family have traditionally been expected to maintain political neutrality while carrying out ceremonial duties and supporting charitable causes. However, the boundaries between public service, personal advocacy and political commentary can become difficult to define.
Harry’s decision to pursue an independent public role has raised questions about how a former senior royal should engage with political and social issues.
Some observers believe his campaigning demonstrates a willingness to address subjects that matter to him. Others argue that his royal background makes it difficult to separate his personal views from the institution he once represented.
Farage’s criticism reflects the latter concerns, although his comments also serve his own political messaging.
The monarchy remains an important part of Britain’s constitutional system, but public attitudes towards individual members of the royal family can vary significantly. A reaction at a political conference should not be mistaken for a comprehensive measure of national opinion.
What the Moment Means for Farage
For Farage, the CPAC speech offered an opportunity to reinforce his connections with American conservative audiences while promoting Reform UK’s political ambitions at home.
His relationship with Trump and his participation in international conservative gatherings have become part of his public profile. These appearances allow him to discuss shared concerns about immigration, political institutions and cultural change.
However, international political alliances can also create questions about how a British party would balance its domestic priorities with relationships abroad.
Farage’s supporters may view his international connections as an advantage, while critics may question whether the political priorities of American conservatives always align with Britain’s interests.
The Prince Harry joke was a small part of that larger conversation, but its memorable wording ensured that the royal family became part of the headline.
Conclusion
Nigel Farage’s “you keep him” remark was a pointed joke delivered to an American conservative audience, but it also reflected years of disagreement over Prince Harry’s departure from royal duties and his public activities in the United States.
The exchange highlighted the contrasting views surrounding the Duke of Sussex, from those who support his independence and charitable work to those who believe his approach has damaged his relationship with the monarchy and the British public.
For Farage, the moment combined humour with a broader political message about cultural change and the relationship between Britain and America.
Ultimately, the lasting significance of the speech lies less in the punchline itself than in the continuing debate over public figures, political identity and the expectations placed on the royal family.
Harry remains a divisive figure in some political discussions, while Farage continues to use public appearances to communicate his views on Britain’s direction. Their contrasting approaches ensure that even a brief joke at an American conference can become part of a much larger argument about the country’s culture, institutions and future.