Prince Harry is set to return to London for the WellChild Awards, marking one of his few visits to the UK since losing a long-running legal battle over police protection for his family. His appearance has once again sparked discussion about why he and his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, stepped away from royal duties and built a new life across the Atlantic.
From Royal Duties to Independence
Harry and Meghan married in 2018 and quickly became one of the most high-profile royal couples. But by early 2020, frustrated with intense media scrutiny and limited freedom to shape their own projects, they announced their decision to step back as senior royals.
Their attempt to launch the “SussexRoyal” brand was blocked by Buckingham Palace, further straining relations. In the transition, they retained their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles but gave up the use of “His/Her Royal Highness.” Harry also surrendered his honorary military appointments.
Despite these changes, Harry remains fifth in line to the throne. When King Charles III ascended in 2022, the couple’s children automatically became Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet of Sussex.
A Move to California
In June 2020, the Sussexes relocated to California, citing the desire for privacy and space to raise their children. Lilibet was born there in 2021. The couple later lost their official UK residence, Frogmore Cottage, which had been a wedding gift from the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Their new life has not been without controversy. Harry’s US visa status has faced legal challenges from conservative groups, who argue his past admissions of drug use should be taken into account. A judge, however, ruled in 2024 that details of his visa application would remain largely confidential.
Security Battles and Legal Disputes
One of Harry’s most contentious battles has been over his UK security. After stepping back, the Home Office ruled he would no longer receive automatic protection, instead being assessed on a case-by-case basis. Harry argued this left his family vulnerable and pursued legal action, but in 2024, the High Court upheld the government’s approach.
Alongside security disputes, Harry has fought a series of high-profile cases against newspaper publishers, accusing them of unlawful information gathering and phone hacking. In 2024 and 2025, he secured damages and apologies from Mirror Group Newspapers and News Group Newspapers, with ongoing cases still in the courts.
Building a New Brand
Financial independence has been central to the couple’s post-royal life. Initial support from King Charles helped them transition, but they soon built their own ventures. Their charitable foundation, Archewell, was launched alongside multimillion-dollar commercial deals.
For Netflix, they produced documentaries including Harry & Meghan, Heart of Invictus, and Meghan’s lifestyle series With Love, Meghan. Their partnership with the streaming giant was extended in 2025. Meghan also founded a lifestyle brand, recently rebranded as As Ever, which markets products such as jams, teas, and baking kits.
Podcasting has also been part of their portfolio. After a widely publicized Spotify deal, Meghan began a new series with Lemonada Media in 2025 titled Confessions of a Female Founder.
Harry’s bestselling memoir Spare, published in 2023, gave a candid account of his personal struggles, his grief for Princess Diana, and his often tense relationships within the royal family.
Strained but Not Broken
Despite tensions, Harry has expressed a desire to reconcile with his father and brother. He briefly visited King Charles in early 2024 following the monarch’s cancer diagnosis, and attended the coronation later that year without Meghan. The couple also returned together for the Platinum Jubilee and the Queen’s funeral.
Yet disputes over security and media intrusion continue to cast a long shadow. In Harry’s own words: “The UK is my home. The UK is central to the heritage of my children. That cannot happen if it’s not possible to keep them safe.”
For now, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain firmly rooted in California, carving out careers as global celebrities, entrepreneurs, and campaigners — a world away from the strict traditions of royal life.
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