Prince Harry is struggling to adapt to life in Los Angeles, experiencing social anxiety and unease under the Hollywood spotlight, while his wife Meghan Markle thrives in the public eye, according to a recent report citing royal author Christopher Andersen in Us Weekly.
Andersen revealed that Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is “somewhat uneasy” with the constant attention in California, having “suffered from crippling social anxiety.” In contrast, Meghan “embraces that life more,” highlighting a divergence in their comfort levels with fame since their move to Montecito in 2020. This insight sheds light on the personal challenges Harry faces as he navigates his post-royal existence away from the structured environment of the British monarchy.
The author noted that Harry still grapples with being excluded from key royal family gatherings, such as Christmas at Sandringham, which causes him pain. Moreover, he regrets that his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are growing up without strong ties to their royal heritage. Despite being “content” in his new home, these familial distances weigh heavily on him, contrasting with sources who claim he is happier living a private life free from the constraints of palace protocols.
Conflicting perspectives emerge about Harry’s adjustment. Some insiders assert that he is “so happy living in the private world” and feels more like himself in California, where he escaped the rigid schedules and lack of personal freedom that characterized his royal duties. However, Andersen counters that Harry, as a former army officer, misses the “structure, honor and duty” inherent in military and royal life, elements he finds lacking in his current routine.
Harry’s military background adds another layer to his unease. After resigning from royal duties in 2020, he lost his honorary military titles, a loss described as “extremely difficult” because the army was a significant part of his identity. The Invictus Games, which he founded, has become a “lifeline,” allowing him to stay connected to that world and channel his dedication to service, providing a sense of purpose amidst the changes.
In his domestic life, Harry has embraced a hands-on role as a father, spending considerable time with his young children while Meghan focuses on building her lifestyle and media empire, effectively becoming the family’s “breadwinner.” Royal historian Marlene Koenig observed that although Harry hasn’t settled into a permanent position, he is prioritizing parenting, which offers him solace and a new focus outside the public sphere.
A recent development offers a glimmer of hope for bridging the gap with his homeland. Harry was granted a victory this month when the Royal and VIP Executive Committee determined that he and his family qualify for UK security protection, facilitating more frequent visits. This decision could ease his heartbreak over not being able to show his children his homeland, as he expressed in a past BBC interview.
Looking ahead, Harry remains open to reconciling with the royal family, hoping to eventually divide his time between California and the UK. While Meghan is focused on their life in Montecito, Harry’s desire for connection suggests ongoing negotiations between personal fulfillment and familial ties, indicating that their story continues to evolve in the public eye.
