As Prince Harry approaches his 40th birthday, tensions within his marriage to Meghan Markle seem to be mounting, with reports suggesting that the Duke of Sussex is increasingly fixated on the past-a tendency that is reportedly frustrating his wife. According to sources close to the couple, Harry is spending much of his time reminiscing about his former life as a senior royal, reflecting on the admiration he once enjoyed from the British public before stepping down from royal duties in 2020.
An old friend of Prince Harry's told The Times, "He's an angry boy. Things haven't turned out how he wanted. I think he misses being over here [in Britain] desperately and wants to be admired more. Anyone who knows him feels he'd rather be top of the pops here with everyone loving him, as they do with William and Kate." This longing for his past life as a working royal is said to be a point of contention between Harry and Meghan, who is reportedly urging him to focus on their future together in the United States.
Meghan Markle, according to former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond, sees Harry's brooding over past grievances as unproductive. "If Meghan is encouraging Harry to leave the past behind and move on, then I think it is a healthy move," Bond told OK! Magazine. "They have made their decision, left the working royal family, and left the UK."
The couple's decision to step back from royal life and relocate to California was made in 2020, a move that allowed them to raise their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, away from the intense scrutiny of the British media. Earlier this year, Prince Harry confirmed that he now considers the United States his home. "He says he now regards the USA as home-at least for the time being," Bond added. "Brooding on the perceived injustices of the past and re-living old quarrels is a waste of a life, and I think Meghan sees that."
However, Bond also noted that it might be easier for Meghan to focus on the future, given her lack of deep-rooted ties to the British royal family. "It's easy for her to look forward, ensconced as she is in a country and lifestyle she is so used to and clearly loves," Bond said. "But Harry has said he wants to be reunited with his family, so he is obviously going to think about what has happened and how they have come to this state of affairs."
This internal conflict is likely exacerbated by the Duke's strained relationship with his family, particularly his brother, Prince William, and father, King Charles. The release of Harry's memoir, Spare, earlier this year, and the candid revelations made during his interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, have only deepened the rift. In Spare, Harry reflects on happier times with his family, hinting at a deep sense of loss for what once was. Despite this, he has expressed a desire to mend fences, especially following the health challenges faced by his father and sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, earlier this year.
Meghan's frustration, as described by sources, stems from her perception that Harry is too preoccupied with his past. "And that's probably quite frustrating for Meghan, who seems to be at ease with estrangement from her own family," Bond remarked. This stark contrast in their attitudes towards family ties and the past may be contributing to the underlying tension in their relationship.
As Harry reflects on his life and the choices that led him to his current situation, it is clear that his past continues to weigh heavily on him. Whether he can reconcile this with Meghan's forward-looking approach remains to be seen, but the couple's journey together appears to be at a crossroads.
