Prince Harry made his solo return to New York City on September 22, nearly a year after his previous visit with his wife, Meghan Markle. The forty-year-old was in New York to kick off a series of engagements in support of several of his patronages and charitable efforts.
These events supported African Parks, the HALO Trust, the Diana Awards, Travalyst, Sentebale, The Parents Network, and his own Arcewell Foundation.
Even after strongly lecturing about the risks of children using the internet, he received applause for his statements about mental health during a speech at the United Nations. He appeared to be at ease and confident and received a standing ovation at a Clinton Foundation event.
“People noticed this was more relaxed Harry,” a source tells Star Magazine. “He was smiling and clearly relishing meeting with people about things that really matter to him.”
For him, it may be vital. According to the source, Harry is having second thoughts about his relationship with Meghan, who is 43 years old and is yearning for greater independence. This comes nearly five years after the couple went to her home state of California and quit their positions as senior working royals in Britain.
The couple, who both work under the Archewell umbrella, are already moving in distinct areas. Meghan is exploring a cuisine and lifestyle show, while Harry continues his work with charitable organizations and creating a Netflix series on polo sports.
“Harry’s given up so much for this marriage his family, his home, friends,” explains the source. “There’s this feeling he’s been striving to make Meghan happy at the expense of his own happiness.”
Prince Harry went on another vacation alone after his trip to New York City to London for the WellChild Awards on September 30. Meghan was anticipated to remain at home with their children, Prince Archie, who is five years old, and Princess Lilibet, who is three years old.
“We’re going to see more of Harry branching out of his own,” the source says. “He just seems more self-assured going solo where the focus is on the issue, not on Meghan and what she’s wearing or her latest controversy.”
Despite his estrangement from his father, King Charles III, 75, and brother Prince William, 42, “privately, Harry would like to get back in the royal fold in some capacity,” the source adds.
“No one says he’s abandoning his marriage just yet, but some believe his newfound independent streak and yearning to mend ties with his family doesn’t bode well for him and Meghan in the long-term.”
As was previously reported by Star Magazine, he has discovered a supporter in the form of his sister-in-law, Princess Kate herself.
“If he wants to resume life in royals circles, Kate could be the one to help him,” the source says. “ She’s been rooting for an end to Harry's rift with William."
He quietly approached the 42-year-old, saying, "He knows her word carries a lot of weight in The Firm."
Meghan, however, remains steadfast after criticizing the royal family for failing to protect her from racist attacks, among other complaints.
"She has no intention of returning to life in Britain," the source says. "She was always an outsider and was never really made welcome. Her life is in the U.S. now."
Prince Harry's wavering allegiance blindsided her, the source adds, "She thinks it's a mistake going back to them, the family that mistreated her."
Yet Harry is open to negotiation. “He seems to think he can have it both ways," the source says. "Getting back with his family while still maintaining a life with Meghan and the kids in California.”
In public, Prince Harry has never failed to protect Meghan. After all, he sacrificed his life as a royal family member for her. In private, however, he acknowledges that his wife's nearly continual criticism has had a negative influence on his once-high popularity, as the source states.
The Hollywood Reporter published a damaging story in September concerning staff turnover in the Sussexes' offices. The report cited a source who stated that employees were "terrified" of the former “Suits” star.
Dubbed "Duchess Difficult" by former staffers, the source said, "she marches around like a dictator in high heels, fuming and barking orders. I've watched her reduce grown men to tears."
Since the report, other Sussex staffers publicly defended Meghan.
"Best bosses I have ever had," one current team member wrote on Instagram. while another described his experience as “positive and supportive”. Either way, Harry finds himself caught in the middle. The HR source described him as an enabler to his wife.
Meghan is "very opinionated and has authority," a source tells Star Magazine, adding that "she's been described as a control freak" and "is obviously the one steering the relationship." Which makes his plans for independence all the more tricky. Anyone would rarely witness the couple arguing, explains the source, because "Harry usually goes along with whatever she says. He probably figures it's better that way than to fight."
In contrast, Prince Harry is continuing to build his reputation independently, as he demonstrated in New York City at the time. Although their unofficial royal tours of Nigeria and Colombia this year were highly received, the most successful event they have had up to this point has been Harry's 2023 memoir, “Spare.”
Their lucrative podcasting contract with Spotify was unexpectedly terminated in the previous year, following the failure of Meghan's "Archetypes," the fall in contributions to their charity organization, and the fact that Meghan's much-hyped American Riviera Orchard lifestyle brand has not yet been released, InStyle reported.
"They had such high hopes, Doors were opening for them in the beginning," the source says. "Many believe Harry would do well to branch off on his own."
Don't be surprised if he tests the waters with even more solo engagements, leaving Meghan behind.
"Harry's savoring these times when he's by himself," the source reveals. "But it could spell more trouble for his marriage."
