Harry walked down the long corridor of Kensington Palace, his footsteps echoing on the marble floor as he admired the historic beauty of the place. He was on his way to an important conversation, one that he had been putting off for some time, but that he finally needed to have. The decision to retire was increasingly present in his mind, and who better to discuss it with than Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, two of the few people who knew the real him beyond the "Ghost" of the missions?
Upon reaching the door of the Dukes' private living room, Harry was greeted by an assistant who led him to where William and Kate were. They were sitting on a comfortable sofa, laughing and chatting casually. Upon seeing Harry enter, they both stood up, smiling warmly.
"Harry!" William exclaimed, approaching and shaking Harry's hand, which he quickly transformed into a brotherly hug. "Good to see you, friend. How are things?"
"I'm fine, William. — Harry replied, returning the hug. — Kate, always a pleasure to see you.
Kate smiled and gave Harry a light hug too.
— Likewise, Harry. We've been waiting for this visit. It seems you have something important to tell us. — She said, with a glint of curiosity in her eyes.
Harry took a deep breath and sat with them both on the sofa. There was a sense of ease in the air, as if this were a conversation between old friends, without the formalities that often surrounded royalty.
— Actually, I do. — Harry began, looking from William to Kate, sensing that, despite their friendship, this was still a difficult conversation. — I'm seriously considering retiring. After more than two decades in the SAS, leading missions around the world, I think it's time to take a step back.
William and Kate exchanged a quick but understanding look. They knew this decision wasn't easy for someone like Harry, whose life had been defined by action and duty.
— Really? — William asked, his voice full of surprise, but also of support. — It's not something we expected to hear from you. What made you think of that?
Harry paused, choosing his words carefully.
— The truth is that I've always loved what I do, but lately, I've been feeling like I need more balance. I spent so much time dedicating my life to missions, to the SAS, to MI6... And now, with 21 years of service, it feels like the cycle is closing. I'm also starting to think about a future where I have more time for myself, for my own priorities, like... — He hesitated for a moment, but then smiled. — Kensi.
Kate smiled at the mention of Kensi's name, remembering their previous conversation about her.
— Oh, so she's influencing you, huh? — Kate teased, winking at Harry. — But that's a good thing, Harry. Having someone in your life who makes you think about balance is a positive thing.
William nodded, supporting Kate's words.
— You've already dedicated a large part of your life to serving your country and the world, Harry. There's nothing wrong with seeking a bit of normalcy. And to be honest, I think the idea of you retiring makes sense. But… how are you handling it? Because I know you well enough to know that you won't be sitting still for long.
Harry laughed, knowing that William was right.
— Yes, it's true. I've been thinking about becoming a security consultant. Working in something more stable, like private or government contracts, something that still keeps me in the game but without the pressure of combat missions. I think that could be a good middle ground."
Kate smiled warmly.
"That sounds perfect, Harry. And you can still stay connected to the people and causes that are important to you. Plus, with your experience, you would be a great asset in any security or intelligence field."
Harry nodded, relieved by the support he was receiving. He knew this decision still required a lot of planning, but hearing from William and Kate encouraged him to move forward.
"I think I'm ready for this new chapter. But I also wanted to talk to you because… well, our friendship means a lot to me. And the royals have always been involved with the military. I don't know how this decision of mine might come across to others," he admitted.
William put a hand on Harry's shoulder, offering brotherly support.
"Harry, you don't have to worry about that. You've already done more than anyone could ever hope for. No one, not even the royal family, would question your decision to retire. Besides, you'll always be a part of our family. The Queen, the country… they all respect you. And most importantly, I respect the man you are, whether on the battlefield or off it."
Kate nodded.
"And I think you can have a wonderful life with Kensi, if that's what you truly want. It will be good for you, Harry. We all deserve this chance to find balance."
Harry felt a weight lift from his shoulders as he heard his friends' words. He knew the decision to retire wouldn't be easy, but with the support of William, Kate, and Kensi, he was beginning to see a clearer, more balanced future.
"Thank you, William. Kate," he said sincerely. "I think this is the start of something new for me."
William smiled. "And we'll be here for you if you need us, Harry. Always."
They spent the rest of the afternoon talking about the future, reminiscing about past stories, and sharing laughs. Harry left the conversation feeling that no matter what came next, he had the support of true friends and a new perspective on the life he wanted to build.
It was the beginning of a new journey, and he was ready to take it on.