Prince Harry’s ‘Americanisms’ are no such thing

Ever since Prince Harry moved to Los Angeles, royal commentators with an interest in the English language have been watching what he says. He may have walked the walk but has he also started to talk the talk? In October 2020, the Mail ran a piece headed ‘Prince Harry calls opening the bonnet ‘popping the hood’ as he picks up Americanisms after seven months in US with Meghan Markle’. In May 2021, the Express announced ‘Prince Harry swaps Queen’s English for Americanisms in desperate bid to “be liked”‘, gasping that ‘Prince Harry has dropped elements of his cut-glass English accent in favour of Americanisms’. Just last week, as Harry spoke about his mother’s work combating the stigma around HIV and AIDS, some people felt their hackles rise regarding his choice of words: ‘I feel obligated to try and continue [her work] as much as possible’. Why use the American ‘obligated’ when the British ‘obliged’ is right there?

Harry has also been criticised for scattering Americanisms throughout his Archewell podcast, addressing his audience as ‘you guys’ and describing things as ‘awesome’.