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Like Prince Harry, I'm a Brit married to an American and living in the US. Here are things he might grow to miss about life in the UK.

Lydia WarrenMay 6, 2020, 19:23 IST
Like Prince Harry, I'm a Brit married to an American and living in the US. Here are things he might grow to miss about life in the UK.

I love living in the US with my husband, but there are things I'll always miss about the UK — like the pubs.Lydia Warren/Insider

  • Prince Harry moved to California with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their son, Archie, earlier this year.
  • Like Prince Harry, I'm a Brit who's living in the US with an American spouse.
  • After almost 10 years here, there are some things that just aren't the same — things that Prince Harry might grow to miss, too.
  • The food, the sayings, the sense of humor, and British TV are just some of the things he might miss.
  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

When I moved to the US, I was surprised by how much of a culture shock I experienced. Coming from the UK — where the language is the same, and music, movies, and TV are steeped in American culture — I hadn't anticipated just how different life in the US was going to be.

Now after almost 10 years living in Atlanta and New York, I'm still accutely aware of the many differences, and while I love my life here, there are still things about the UK that I miss.

Earlier this year, I learned that America gained one more Brit: Prince Harry, who moved to California with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their son, Archie. While he no doubt believes he can have a better, more private life with his family in the US, I'm sure there are things he'll miss about home.

Here are things I miss about the UK that Prince Harry might grow to miss, too.

Read the original article on Insider

But of course, there are many things keeping me here — and I'm sure Prince Harry will discover just how many exciting opportunities the US has to offer.

But of course, there are many things keeping me here — and I'm sure Prince Harry will discover just how many exciting opportunities the US has to offer.
Exploring upstate New York with my husband. Lydia Warren/Insider

Aside from being married to an American, there are many things keeping me in the US, despite everything I miss back home. I love my lifestyle here and the opportunities I've had. One of my favorite things has to be the travel, and the diversity of landscapes and experiences you can have in just one country — experiences that the UK just doesn't offer.

I might move back one day, but for the time being, I'll make sure my mum keeps sending me tights and Percy Pigs from Marks & Spencer, and that I avoid using the word "water" at all costs.

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Although he'll meet some great new people in the US, Prince Harry might miss being around family and friends he's known his whole life.

Although he'll meet some great new people in the US, Prince Harry might miss being around family and friends he's known his whole life.
Family in the UK. Lydia Warren/Insider

I've met some incredible people during my time in the US, but I definitely miss being around people who've known me longer than 10 years. Social media, WhatsApp, and Houseparty make it relatively easy to stay in touch, but unfortunately these apps can't replace weddings, holidays, or my mum's cooking.

Prince Harry will also meet great people in the US, but after a while, he might start to miss people from way back when — perhaps even his family.

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I also miss being able to vote in a country where I live, work, and pay taxes.

I also miss being able to vote in a country where I live, work, and pay taxes.
Election Day. AP

I feel extremely fortunate that I was able to move to the US and stay here for as long as I have. But many people, both Americans and Brits included, are surprised when I tell them I still can't vote in the US. Immigration processes can be slow and expensive, and I'm still several years from citizenship. As many immigrants will understand, there's something unfulfilling about economically contributing to a society in which you have no say.

In the UK, while members of the royal family are technically allowed to vote, they choose not to — but Prince Harry won't even have that choice anymore.

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After paying for healthcare, I miss the National Health Service, where I didn't have to pay a penny, and anyone can get healthcare, regardless of income.

After paying for healthcare, I miss the National Health Service, where I didn't have to pay a penny, and anyone can get healthcare, regardless of income.
Prince Harry at an NHS-run health clinic in London. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Ten years on, I remain bitter that — on top of paying monthly for health insurance — I have to cough up a co-pay every time I visit the doctor or dentist. Despite the high level of care, I always feel like I'm being bilked, so I end up going far less than I should.

In the UK, my doctor appointments and treatments never cost a penny. The free-for-all system means that sometimes you have to wait for an appointment, but you will get one, rather than not being seen at all. You also won't end up with a bill that you simply can't afford. I now realize how much I took this for granted when I lived there.

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I also miss the TV commercials, where companies show off their sense of humor and don't peddle medicines.

I also miss the TV commercials, where companies show off their sense of humor and don't peddle medicines.
John Lewis' Christmas adverts are legendary in the UK. John Lewis & Partners/YouTube

Relatives and friends always comment on American commercials when they come to visit — how they're shocked to see pharmaceutical drugs advertised with a long list of terms, conditions, and side effects read off at the end.

By comparison, the UK produces quirky, comical commercials in which the hard-sell is a little bit gentler. They even have the power to bring the country together: Every holiday season, the release of companies' big-budget Christmas adverts, like those by department store John Lewis (pictured), is a huge event anticipated by the whole country.

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British newscasters tend to be a bit more low-key than some of their US counterparts.

British newscasters tend to be a bit more low-key than some of their US counterparts.
Jon Snow, a veteran broadcast journalist, takes a tea break at Channel 4. Michael Walters/PA Images via Getty Images

After watching the news in the US for a decade, I'm always surprised, and charmed, by how quiet British newsreaders are. There's no big hair or makeup, and there's rarely a shouting match, like you sometimes see on TV news programs in the US.

In the US, we usually know where TV networks fall on the political spectrum, but British broadcasters aren't actually allowed to align themselves in the same way: The government-approved Office of Communications acts as a watchdog over all broadcasters to ensure they're staying accurate, objective, and impartial.

It makes for more straightforward, calmer news telling where all sides of the argument are given equal screen time. If Prince Harry came to the US to escape drama, he'd better not switch on a TV.

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I miss the centuries-old history and deeply ingrained sense of tradition in the UK.

I miss the centuries-old history and deeply ingrained sense of tradition in the UK.
Chester in Cheshire. Lydia Warren/Insider

It took me moving to the US to realize just how old things are in the UK. (The oldest recorded town in the UK, Colchester, dates back to at least 77 AD.) The historic buildings, higgledy-piggledy streets, cobblestoned roads, and thatched roofs create a sense of charm and authenticity.

Of course, there are many beautiful, historic towns and sights across the US — and I'm lucky to have many of them nearby in New York state — but the UK's centuries-old architecture and the stories behind them just can't be beat.

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Prince Harry might also miss the British sense of humor — and he'll learn pretty quickly that some of it just won't fly here.

Prince Harry might also miss the British sense of humor — and he'll learn pretty quickly that some of it just won't fly here.
"8 Out of 10 Cats" host Jimmy Carr with comedians Katherine Ryan and Rob Beckett. Courtesy Channel 4

If I had a dollar for every time I had to quickly add "... just kidding!" to the end of a sentence, I'd have a lot of dollars. Of course there are plenty of funny people in the US, but the type of humor is different. When I first arrived here, I realized that sarcasm is not in everyone's language.

It's the comedy on offer, too. There's just no equivalent to the British comedy panel shows, like "8 Out of 10 Cats" or "Have I Got News for You." These TV shows are quick-witted and cutting, hosted by comedians I've watched since I was young.

When I meet British people in the US, our shared sense of humor is something I notice right away.

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Americans are more direct in how they communicate, and sometimes I miss the shared understanding of biting one's tongue.

Americans are more direct in how they communicate, and sometimes I miss the shared understanding of biting one's tongue.
Americans and Brits communicate quite differently. ALASTAIR GRANT/AFP/Getty Images

Americans can be more forthright. They talk about their feelings and discuss subjects that would be off-limits in the UK, such as money ... and their feelings.

While I'd argue there's nothing wrong with this, sometimes I also miss the shared, unspoken understanding that British people have when it comes to communication — that is, that you're supposed to apologize all the time, regularly mention the weather, avoid talking about money at all costs, and maintain a stiff upper lip. I'm English through and through, so it's been a bumpy ride getting used to the American way of communicating.

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I miss being understood whenever I meet new people because of my accent and the words I use.

I miss being understood whenever I meet new people because of my accent and the words I use.
Prince Harry had better get used to repeating himself ... a lot. OWEN HUMPHREYS/AFP via Getty Images

Prince Harry can forget saying great British words like "chuffed," "knackered," or "wonky" if he wants to be understood.

If I used British words in the US, I'd be forever repeating or explaining myself. It means I've slowly adopted American words and intonation instead. These days I say "sidewalk" instead of "the pavement," and "zucchini" instead of "courgette."

My accent also means Americans sometimes struggle to understand what I'm saying. For example, "water" is a word that sounds totally different in my English accent. I can't tell you how many times I've grown increasingly flustered at a restaurant as I've repeated the word again and again, only to be met with a confused stare from my server. It means I drink more Diet Coke than I'd like.

Sometimes it gets to the point that I ask my husband to call places on my behalf just because I can't take repeating myself again.

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Marks & Spencer is a British institution that just doesn't have an equivalent in the US.

Marks & Spencer is a British institution that just doesn't have an equivalent in the US.
I miss you, M&S. Jack Taylor/Getty Images

Marks & Spencer is a British department store found in every town and city that sells clothing, food, and home goods, and everyone in the UK buys their underwear there. Its supermarket section has fresh produce and flowers, as well as high-quality pre-packaged meals, and it's the best place to grab lunch if you're on the go. It also sells a raspberry-flavored jelly candy called "Percy Pigs" and the whole country gets mad if there's even the smallest tweak to the recipe.

Prince Harry had better start looking for a new place to buy his underwear — my mum still mails me M&S tights (pantyhose) every winter because I can't find any that compare in the US.

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Prince Harry might also grow to miss British food, from roast dinners and cups of "proper" tea, to snacks like Walkers crisps and Wispa chocolate bars.

Prince Harry might also grow to miss British food, from roast dinners and cups of "proper" tea, to snacks like Walkers crisps and Wispa chocolate bars.
A vegetarian roast dinner. Lydia Warren/Insider

British people have long been laughed at for their cuisine but, to me, there's nothing more comforting than roast dinners, butter-slathered crumpets, and strong cups of tea.

Because I grew up with them, British snacks are more nostalgic (and delicious) than those on offer in the US. Chocolate, like Cadbury's, is creamier than the kind you can buy here. While the US has Lay's chips, the UK has Walkers, with quirky flavors like prawn cocktail and pickled onion.

Prince Harry might find the many brands of American food and snacks overwhelming, and he'll have to get used to the bigger sizes, too. Like me, he might find himself putting in regular orders from the British Food Depot, a US-based company, to stay stocked up.

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America has sports bars, dive bars, and swanky rooftop bars, but nothing compares to the great British pub.

America has sports bars, dive bars, and swanky rooftop bars, but nothing compares to the great British pub.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave a pub in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Gareth Fuller/PA Images via Getty Images

There's nothing like taking a muddy country walk to a pub, where you'll order a pint of bitter and a packet of crisps to share over a sticky table with friends, family, or other locals. It's the best place to hunker down in the winter because there's always a fire crackling in the corner, and summertime means pub gardens and chips in the sunshine.

While New York has an incredible diversity of bars, none comes close to having the cozy ambience or sense of community found in a pub. It's often the first place I head after landing back in the UK.

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