The world knows him as Harry, though his given name is Henry Charles Albert David. He is the ginger-haired “spare.” All his life, Harry has been working to carve out his own identity.

Although the royal marriage was rocky from the very beginning, William and Harry were much loved by both their parents. Diana was determined that her sons should be exposed to life outside the palace walls. She took them to homeless shelters where they learned by her example to chat easily with the residents. She gave them a bit of spending money  (royals generally do not carry money) so they could purchase sweets and comic books in the shops. Occasionally they dined in fast-food establishments. Diana firmly believed that the princes needed to be able to relate to really engage with people, not just smile and shake hands.

When Diana died tragically in a car crash, William and Harry were devastated. They kept a stiff upper lip and did not express their grief for years. Charles became a very hands-on father, teaching his boys to hunt and fish. They developed a great love of the outdoors and enjoyed spending time in the country in various outdoor pursuits.

"From the many interviews and glowing smiles, it appears that the prince has found his princess. May they live happily ever after."

During his teen years, Harry made some missteps and poor choices that frequently landed him on the front page of the tabloids. The young prince was finding it difficult to maintain a low profile and avoid the ever-present cameras that were focused on his every move.

Harry joined the service and became a very capable soldier. He wanted to be treated just like his fellow soldiers, and for the most part was able to blend in. Alongside his mates, he trained hard and played hard. He trained as an Apache helicopter pilot and spent some time in the war zone in Afghanistan. His military options and postings were often limited for security reasons, which he found quite frustrating.

Eventually Harry resigned his commission and threw himself into charity work, an interest that Diana had instilled in her sons from a young age. Harry willingly lent his name, energy, enthusiasm and considerable star power to causes he championed. The highly successful Invictus Games, which offered wounded veterans opportunities to participate as fully in sports as their medical conditions would allow, is Harry’s creation. He also accompanied disabled veterans on a grueling and dangerous 200-mile walk to the North Pole. Among his passions are conservation and Africa.

He also began taking an active role in royal duties, often traveling abroad to represent his aging grandmother, Queen Elizabeth. With his ease of conversation and friendly manner, Harry is a real asset to The Crown and is welcomed enthusiastically wherever he travels.

As possibly the most eligible bachelor in the world, Harry’s romances have been well publicized. There were only two women with whom he had long-term relationships, and neither wanted to take on the life that marrying into royalty would involve. But the years of partying and dating are now behind the ginger-haired prince. Through a mutual friend, he was introduced to American actress Meghan Markle. Early on, Harry managed to keep Meghan under the radar, which gave their romance a chance to grow and bloom. As a celebrity in her own right, Meghan knows how to deal with being in the spotlight and does not seem intimidated by her new status. She and Harry share many interests and appear to be a good match.

The May wedding will be the first time in 80 years that an American has married into the royal family. Like Kate, whose husband William will someday be king, Meghan is a commoner. From the many interviews and glowing smiles, it appears that the prince has found his princess. May they live happily ever after.

A note: The wedding invitations have been mailed. For those of us who did not receive one, we can watch the ceremony on the telly.