Prince Harry, the youngest son of King Charles III, is still grappling with life after stepping away from royal duties, with commentators suggesting he has yet to fully establish an independent identity outside the monarchy. More than five years after his dramatic exit from royal life in 2020, some royal experts believe the Duke of Sussex remains caught between the past he left behind and an uncertain future in the United States.
Now 41, Harry has attempted to build a new public persona beyond palace walls, but critics argue that his efforts have often revolved around revisiting old grievances rather than forging a clear new path. As his wife, Meghan Markle, continues to pursue projects in Hollywood and the media, some observers say Harry risks becoming secondary in their shared public life.
Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield weighed in on the issue during a discussion with Fox News Digital, suggesting Meghan has adapted more effectively to the entertainment industry. “Meghan has consistently demonstrated a clearer strategy and stronger command of that ecosystem,” Schofield said. “Harry, by contrast, has struggled to define a role beyond being ‘Prince Harry,’ which leaves him vulnerable to fading into the background.”
Schofield went further, arguing that Harry may have simply swapped one rigid hierarchy for another. “Prince Harry has essentially traded one hierarchy for another. In the royal family, he was the spare to Prince William,” she said. “California seems to have left Harry unmoored. He is far from his family.”
Despite his move overseas, Harry remains deeply affected by events in the UK. During recent court testimony, he accused British tabloids of making his wife’s life “absolute misery,” reinforcing the idea that his relationship with the British press still looms large over his public narrative.
Another royal expert, Richard Fitzwilliams, suggested that resentment toward Harry and Meghan persists back home. “He and Meghan are also resented by the British press for their criticism of the royal family. Their brand is known worldwide, yet so far, they have struggled to gain traction as A-listers in Hollywood,” he claimed.
British royal analyst Hilary Fordwich offered a different possibility, suggesting Harry may eventually return to the UK in some capacity. “I would not be surprised to see him return, even if only for a short time each year,” she said. However, she acknowledged that such a return would be personal rather than professional, noting there is no realistic scenario in which Harry resumes royal duties, particularly given Prince William’s strong opposition.
Others remain skeptical about any major comeback. “I don’t see a major comeback for Harry certainly not while he leans into a victim narrative. Meghan is embracing Hollywood, while Harry has effectively become her ‘spare,’” one TV presenter said.
Across the spectrum of opinion, historians and commentators largely agree on one point: Harry has yet to make a lasting impact in America. For now, many believe he remains tethered to the past, still defined by the royal role he walked away from rather than the new identity he hoped to create.