Prince Harry's Dietary Transformation
Prince Harry's relationship with Meghan Markle marked a significant turning point in his life, and his diet was no exception. Before meeting Meghan, his eating habits were famously less healthy. Royal chefs and biographers have described his younger days as including more traditional British fare, fast food, and comfort dishes like cottage pie. The tabloids even pictured him with burgers in hand. This all began to change drastically during their courtship.
According to numerous reports, Meghan, a known advocate for a 'clean and green' lifestyle, influenced Harry to adopt healthier habits. In early 2018, ahead of their May wedding, it was reported that Harry was following a strict diet to get in shape, which involved cutting back on processed foods and consuming more fruits, vegetables, and healthy grains like quinoa and kale. A friend told Vanity Fair that dating Meghan 'kicked off his health drive' and led to regular green smoothies and workouts.
While this period marked a major reduction in his meat intake, it is important to clarify that Prince Harry did not become a strict vegetarian or vegan. Sources have indicated that Meghan, a self-described 'flexitarian,' eats vegan during the week and has more flexibility on weekends, and that Harry has followed a similar path. The couple even famously got engaged while roasting a chicken. The true change was a lifestyle overhaul that prioritized plant-based foods, rather than a complete and permanent elimination of meat.
The Impact of Lifestyle Changes
The Duke of Sussex's new diet was part of a larger wellness shift, which also saw him quit smoking and take up yoga. The move was widely seen as a positive step for his health. This conscious and gradual dietary evolution is a key difference when comparing his path with that of his pop-star namesake.
Harry Styles' Journey to Pescatarianism
Pop star Harry Styles' move away from meat was more definitive and public. In a 2020 interview with Vogue, Styles confirmed that he had been following a pescatarian diet—which includes fish but no other meat—for the previous three years. This places his decision to stop eating red meat and poultry around 2017. He revealed that his decision was inspired by his bandmates, who ate vegan food while on tour.
Styles found that his body felt better on this new diet, an experience he shared publicly. He reaffirmed his dietary choices in a very direct manner during an August 2022 concert at Madison Square Garden. When a fan threw a chicken nugget on stage, Styles picked it up and told the crowd, "I don't eat chicken, sorry! I don't eat meat". This public, on-the-spot confirmation left no room for ambiguity regarding his stance on eating meat.
A Comparison of Dietary Journeys
While both men are named Harry and have publicly altered their diets, their motivations and the strictness of their diets differ significantly. A comparison helps clarify these distinctions.
| Feature | Prince Harry | Harry Styles |
|---|---|---|
| Dietary Status | Not strictly vegetarian; follows a 'clean eating' lifestyle, significantly reduced meat intake. | Follows a pescatarian diet, consuming fish and seafood but no other meat. |
| Approximate Start | Began reducing meat and adopting healthier habits around 2016-2017. | Became pescatarian around 2017. |
| Key Influence | Meghan Markle's emphasis on a 'clean and green' diet was the primary catalyst. | Bandmates eating vegan food on tour inspired his change. |
| Motivation | Focused on overall health, wellness, and losing weight in preparation for his wedding. | Citing that his "body feels much better" after cutting out meat. |
| Current Stance | Continues with healthier habits but not a hardline rule against meat. | Maintains a strict no-meat policy, as confirmed in 2022. |
Summary of Key Milestones
- 2016-2017: Prince Harry begins dating Meghan Markle and starts to adopt her healthier, 'clean-eating' lifestyle.
- 2017: Harry Styles transitions to a pescatarian diet after being inspired by his bandmates on tour.
- Early 2018: Reports surface about Prince Harry's pre-wedding diet, including cutting back on processed foods and focusing on kale and quinoa.
- May 2018: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle marry, with the 'clean eating' regimen now an established part of his life.
- 2020: Harry Styles reveals in a Vogue interview that he has been pescatarian for three years, confirming his earlier shift.
- August 2022: During a concert, Harry Styles publicly confirms he does not eat meat.
Conclusion
The question "When did Harry stop eating meat?" lacks a single, straightforward answer because the name refers to two different public figures with different dietary paths. Prince Harry's shift was a more gradual adoption of a healthier, plant-focused diet influenced by Meghan Markle, while pop star Harry Styles' change was a clearer and more publicly confirmed move to pescatarianism. While both have reduced their consumption of meat, only Harry Styles has adopted a specific, defined dietary label that strictly excludes meat from land animals. This distinction highlights how celebrity diet changes can stem from personal, relationship, or professional influences, each following its own unique timeline.
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