Prince Harry is reportedly feeling growing regret over the personal toll of his decision to step away from royal duties and leave the United Kingdom, particularly the collapse of his once-close relationship with Princess Kate Middleton, according to royal commentators and former palace insiders.
Helena Chard, a British broadcaster and royal expert, said in an interview with Fox News Digital that while Harry and Meghan Markle likely have few regrets about moving to America, the Duke of Sussex privately laments aspects of his old life-most notably the deterioration of his family bonds. "It will be Harry who has pangs of regret as service as part of the British royal family is all that he knew, and he will be missing certain aspects of his past life, namely the military culture and family unity," Chard said.
Chard believes Harry feels the loss of what was once a "fun and special relationship" with his sister-in-law Kate, which she said "suddenly nosedived" following his criticisms of the royal family in interviews and in his 2023 memoir, Spare. She added, "I imagine he felt further regret after hearing Princess Catherine's cancer diagnosis."
Grant Harrold, who worked as a royal butler for King Charles when he was Prince of Wales, echoed that sentiment, telling Slingo, "There's part of me that thinks Harry does have some regrets about the fact that he's left his home life, his friends and his family behind to start a new life in the US. It was a big move with a lot of sacrifice."
Harrold contrasted Harry's transition with Meghan's, saying, "For Meghan, she still had her friends and, to an extent, her family in the form of her mum, so she didn't have to make as huge a sacrifice."
Despite lingering emotional ties to his former life, Harry has expressed satisfaction with his current chapter in Montecito, California, where he and Meghan have lived since 2020. Speaking at The New York Times DealBook Online Summit last year, he said, "I very much enjoy living here and bringing my kids up here. It's a part of my life that I never thought I was going to live."
"I feel as though it's the life that my mum wanted for me," he added. "To be able to do the things I'm able to do with my kids that I undoubtedly wouldn't be able to do in the UK-it's huge."
The couple's departure from the U.K. in 2020 marked a significant fracture within the royal family. Harry's memoir and high-profile interviews have added tension, particularly regarding his relationship with his brother, Prince William, and sister-in-law Kate, now the Princess of Wales.
Chard suggested Meghan feels fewer emotional ties to the fallout. "Meghan may wonder about what things could have been, but I believe she doesn't look back, is resolute with her decisions, and has little regret as she is not British," Chard said. "She doesn't have heartfelt ties to the royal family. She couldn't wait to get away!"
Meanwhile, Meghan has shifted focus to her media ventures, including her Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan. Though the show received mixed reviews, it has been renewed for a second season. Royal correspondent Rebecca English told the Daily Mail's "Palace Confidential" podcast that the royal family remains indifferent to Meghan's media output. "They were that disinterested," English said. "Honestly, I genuinely think they don't feel it has any relevance to them whatsoever."
"As long as she is not now using her position in the royal family in an obvious way to sell, then she has got every right to do what she wants," English added.
