When Harry met Barack... and quizzed him for BBC
HE may be a seasoned public speaker, but Prince Harry has discovered that asking questions can be far more nerve-racking.
The prince couldn’t hide his jitters as he prepared to interview former US president Barack Obama for BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
As they settled down for their talk, Harry said: ‘You’re excited about this. I’m nervous about this. That’s what’s quite funny.’
Mr Obama calmly told him ‘it’s fun’ and suggested he could interview the prince instead. ‘No, no, let’s keep it this way,’ Harry replied. ‘I’d much prefer that.’
The 40-minute interview is part of Harry’s guest editorship of the programme and features Mr Obama sharing memories of the day he left office and his hopes for the future.
The interview was recorded in Toronto during the Invictus Games in September and will be broadcast on December 27. A short video clip was released yesterday and Mr Obama jokingly asked Harry: ‘Do I need a British accent?’
Harry told his interviewee that if he used long pauses between answers he would probably get ‘the face’.
When Harry put on a stern-looking expression, Mr Obama, 56, replied: ‘I don’t want to see that face.’
Harry, 33, who attended the inaugural summit of the Obama Foundation in Chicago in October, has forged a strong bond with the Obamas.
During the Invictus Games, Mr Obama reportedly quizzed him on his romance with Meghan Markle as they watched the wheelchair basketball. Harry has also launched several initiatives with Michelle Obama and it is rumoured the former First Family will be on the guest list for the royal wedding on May 19.