Prince Harry might have realised “how much he has lost”, according to an old friend, since uprooting from the United Kingdom after quitting royal duties in 2020, and re-settling in Montecito, California, with his wife and two children.
The reported revelation comes as Prince Harry recently conducted solo engagements in New York, the UK and South Africa in recent weeks for his charity endeavours, whereas his wife, Meghan Markle, made a solo appearance in Los Angeles.
Writing for his column in the Daily Mail, editor and broadcaster Richard Eden spoke to a source he described as an old friend of Harry’s about the couple’s solo outings.
Speaking about the interest in the couple, the source said: “Imagine the difference if they were still working royals. They would be the centre of attention wherever they went. They would be patrons of organisations and charities, not just guests turning up.”
They added Harry must be reflecting on his new life in America. They said: “I think Harry’s work over recent weeks with WellChild and Sentebale [the charity he helped set up in 2006 for African orphans, including those living with HIV/AIDS] will have brought home to him how much he has lost by moving to the States.”
Prince Harry is patron of the charity, WellChild, and attended their annual awards ceremony at a hotel in central London on September 30. The charity celebrates the achievements of young people and their families dealing with serious health conditions.
He paid tribute to the children and teenagers at the event, calling them “little legends” who remind him “of the strength of the human spirit”.
Prior to the event, Harry had last been in the UK in August for a private visit to attend a memorial service for his uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes, who had died earlier in the summer. Although Prince William was also at the service, the two were said not to have been in close contact during the private event.
Any trip back to the UK brings speculation around the relationship between Prince Harry and the wider Royal Family since Harry and Meghan quit royal duties in 2020 and spoke publicly about life as working royals in their Netflix docuseries.
Following his UK visit, Prince Harry visited Lesotho and South Africa with his charity, Sentebale, which he co-founded with Prince Seeiso in 2006 to support the vulnerable youth in southern Africa.
Over the years, Prince Harry has worked to draw attention to the urgent issue of children who live in extreme poverty or suffer from HIV and AIDS in Lesotho, and the importance of delivering essential life skills and psychosocial support.
Meanwhile, last weekend, Meghan Markle made a solo appearance of her own and attended a charity gala in aid of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles on Saturday night, wearing a recycled Carolina Herrera gown that she had worn to a 2021 event in New York.
A statement on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s official website read: “…Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex attended the biennial Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) Gala, an inspiring event dedicated to celebrating the exceptional services provided to children across LA.
“Invited as a special guest by CHLA’s president and CEO, Paul Viviano, the Duchess was proud to stand alongside esteemed guests in support of this vital cause.”