Duke of Sussex Faces Internal Conflict and Yearns for Past
Prince Harry is reportedly reconsidering his current path as he grapples with missing his previous life amid strained relations with the Royal Family, according to a royal author and expert.
Now 39, the Duke of Sussex relocated to the United States in 2020 after stepping back from royal duties. He and his wife Meghan Markle have settled in Montecito, an exclusive Los Angeles neighbourhood, distancing themselves from Harry's royal family in the United Kingdom.
Since their move, Harry has returned to the UK only a handful of times, notably for the funerals of Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II, and to visit his father, King Charles III, following a cancer diagnosis.
Following their departure from the Royal Family, the couple lost access to taxpayer-funded security, prompting Harry to voice concerns about the safety of bringing his family to the UK.
The shift away from royal responsibilities also meant finding new sources of income, which Harry and Meghan have achieved through deals with Netflix and Spotify, as well as through personal storytelling.
They've also had to build a new social circle in the US, as Harry’s close friends were primarily UK-based, maintaining ties with his brother, Prince William.
In a February interview on Good Morning America, Harry expressed joy over his new life, claiming he enjoyed "every single day" and found it "amazing."
Yet, royal expert Tom Quinn suggests that Harry might not be as content as he appears. Although the couple is looking forward to their upcoming tour in Colombia, Quinn claims Harry often feels 'bored' and 'misses his old life.'
"He's trained from birth to be a Royal and has given that up. His unwavering support for his wife and her business ventures is clear, but he lacks purpose in his daily routine. Beyond walking the dog and driving around, he has little to do aside from supporting Meghan," Quinn remarked.
Quinn also notes that Harry's hopes for reconciliation with King Charles and Prince William seem increasingly futile, prompting him to reconsider his approach.
"When it comes to his UK relatives, he is conflicted. He's realising that his persistent demands for apologies might need to be reconsidered if he wishes for a truce," Quinn stated.
Harry reportedly seeks reconciliation partly for pragmatic reasons, recognising the need to retain some royal connection to maintain his relevance in the United States.
These reflections come as Harry and Meghan announced plans to visit Bogotá, Colombia, after receiving an invitation from the country's vice-president, Francia Márquez, who also serves as the equality minister.
