Prince Harry has quipped that being in the royal family was like living in a Downton Abbey-style drama.

The Duke of Sussex - who relocated to the US after he and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex stood down as working British royals in 2020 - made the joke as he gave a speech in honour of the "deeply personal" relationship between Britain and the United States at a networking event in Los Angeles.

In reference to Lord Fellowes, the Downton Abbey creator who was honoured at the prestigious event, Harry said: "People sometimes ask if growing up with the royal family was a bit like Julian's Downton Abbey.

"Yeah, but only one of those worlds is filled with drama, intrigue, elaborate dinners, marriages to Americans, and the other is a TV show."

The Duke also took a subtle swipe at President Donald Trump's immigration policies as he discussed British football supporters travelling to the US for next year's World Cup.

The 41-year-old royal said: "Next year, we are all welcoming many more fellow Brits from across the pond, provided they behave, and that they make it through customs, past ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

"The World Cup is coming to the US... both England and Scotland have qualified - it's a Christmas miracle!"

Noting that Northern Ireland and Wales could still qualify, Harry said: "And wouldn't that be something for the great American brewers of Budweiser, Coors and Samuel Adams to celebrate. The British are coming, hungry for victory, and they're thirsty.

"And back in the UK we've recently found out that pubs might stay open until 1am. What could possibly go wrong?"

In a more serious message, Harry explained that the partnership between the UK and US was "deeply personal to me" and described the special relationship as more than "just a diplomatic phrase".

Referring to next year's celebrations to mark 250 years of US independence, he said: "Truly, this anniversary is a chance to reflect on how far our relationship has come, from historic tensions, to one of the closest partnerships anywhere in the world. And back to historic tensions, just like that."

Harry - who has children Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, with Meghan - continued: "That partnership is deeply personal to me. Not only because my family and my life are here today, but because of the extraordinary American servicemen and women I've had the honour of serving alongside in Afghanistan.

"Our two nations' bond rests on centuries of friendship, shared values, innovation and mutual prosperity."