What Happened to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex?

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, along with his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, made the significant decision in January 2020 to step back as senior members of the British Royal Family, a move widely dubbed 'Megxit.' They subsequently relocated to Montecito, California, seeking financial independence and a more private life away from intense media scrutiny. This departure marked a pivotal turning point, leading them to forge new careers and philanthropic ventures in the United States.

Since their move, the couple established Archewell, an organization encompassing Archewell Productions for media content and the Archewell Foundation for their philanthropic work. In December 2025, the Archewell Foundation officially rebranded to Archewell Philanthropies, signifying an evolution towards a broader family enterprise focused on global philanthropic endeavors. This shift also involved a restructuring to a fiscal sponsor model to streamline administrative processes and enhance flexibility. Through Archewell, Harry and Meghan have championed causes such as mental health, support for families affected by online abuse, and international humanitarian aid, including donations to children in Gaza and Ukraine in September 2025.

A major public development was the release of Prince Harry's memoir, 'Spare,' on January 10, 2023. The book became an instant global bestseller, selling over 6 million copies and holding the Guinness World Record for the fastest-selling non-fiction book of all time. In 'Spare,' Harry detailed his life, including the profound impact of his mother's death, his experiences in the British Army, and his strained relationships with his father, King Charles III, and brother, Prince William. The paperback edition is slated for release in October 2026.

Prince Harry has also been extensively involved in multiple legal battles against British tabloid publishers, alleging unlawful information gathering and phone hacking. He secured a settlement with News Group Newspapers in 2025, estimated to be over $12 million. An ongoing privacy lawsuit against Associated Newspapers Limited (publisher of the Daily Mail) commenced its trial in early 2026, where Harry testified and decade-old messages were revealed. Another significant legal front has been his challenge against the UK government's decision to remove his automatic police protection when in the UK. After losing an appeal in May 2025, a fresh review of his risk assessment was carried out in January 2026, with sources indicating a likely favorable reversal.

His relationship with the Royal Family remains complex and largely unreconciled. While a private meeting with King Charles III occurred in September 2025, prompted by Harry's handwritten letter, momentum for reconciliation has since stalled. As of April 2026, there are no plans for a meeting during King Charles's visit to the United States, and the King has not seen his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, since June 2022. Harry continues his dedicated work with the Invictus Games, which held its first winter hybrid games in Vancouver Whistler in February 2025, and is scheduled to return to the UK in 2027. In April 2026, he delivered a keynote at the IAPP Global Summit on digital governance and online safety, an area of significant advocacy for him and Meghan. The couple also announced plans for overseas humanitarian trips in 2026 and a potential trip to Australia in mid-April 2026 for business and philanthropic engagements, which some experts suggest could cause further tension with the Royal Family by overshadowing royal events in the UK.