Prince Harry made the decision to give up one of his major passions after marrying his wife Meghan Markle in 2018 because she doesn’t approve of the blood sport

Much has changed for Prince Harry following his marriage to Meghan Markle. And just a short time after their wedding, he made the decision to give up a much-loved gift knowing that his new wife did not approve.

Harry was once an enthusiastic hunter, having been photographed with a water buffalo he had killed in 2005. But he made the ethical decision to give up blood sports – and sold a pair of handmade hunting rifles, estimated to be worth £50,000, in a private deal back in 2020.

The sale took place before Meghan and Harry left the UK for Canada, and subsequently moved to Los Angeles. The Purdey firearms were purchased by an anonymous buyer, whose friend told The Sun: “He bought them because he wanted them, not because they belonged to Harry, but he was quite chuffed when he found out.” They added: “They are beautiful examples and he’s very pleased with them but he’s not the sort of person who wants to boast about the royal connection.”

In April 2020, British primatologist Dr Jane Goodall said she believed Harry would give up hunting for good as a result of Meghan’s influence. Dr Goodall, 86, is a friend of the couple and was a guest at their former home, Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. Speaking to the Radio Times, she was asked whether Prince Harry and his brother Prince William are champions of the natural world.

“Yes – except they hunt and shoot,” she replied. “But I think Harry will stop because Meghan doesn’t like hunting, so I suspect that is over for him.” Dr Goodall, who is best known for her research into chimpanzees, was also asked if Prince Harry would remain an advocate for conservation and support her work. I don’t know how his career is going to map out, but yes, I’ve been in touch,” she responded at the time, adding: “though I think he’s finding life a bit challenging just now”.

Indeed, Harry and Meghan’s relationship has come under the spotlight just recently with the couple choosing to make a number of solo public appearances, rather than stepping out together. It has set tongues wagging in the United States, with the couple’s local newspaper, the Montecito Journal picking up on the gossip surrounding the couple about their “increasingly separate lives”. But according to PR expert Ed Coram James,it’s for a very strategic reason – with their joint brand now seen as ‘toxic’.

He told the Mirror : “Since their marriage, Harry and Meghan have had a distinct brand. That brand is based on a duo. Call it ‘Harry and Meghan’, call it ‘the Sussexes’, call it whatever you like. The fact is that for years they have become synonymous with one another. And, since the famous Oprah interview, in which they took a simmering disagreement between themselves and the rest of the Royal Family and essentially declared all-out-war, that brand has been steadily becoming more toxic and thus commercially untenable. To the point where not that many major brands are going to be rushing to write them a large cheque based on their brand value.

“This is because the ongoing confrontation with the rest of the Royal Family, as well as much of Meghan’s family, have made them appear confrontational and combative, their string of commercial projects that haven’t worked out and have led to a sense that they aren’t the best producers. And their worldwide publicity tour made them look whiney, ungrateful and unconscious to the enormous privilege that they have enjoyed.”