Prince Harry Reportedly ‘Still Very Wrapped up in the Past’ as His U.S. Chapter Struggles

Feb 02, 2026 by apost team

Prince Harry’s life in America continues to unfold in sharp contrasts, and nowhere was that more apparent than in the days separating his emotional court appearance in London and his polished Hollywood outing in Utah.

As reported by Page Six, the Duke of Sussex went from fighting back tears while describing alleged privacy violations by the British press to attending the Sundance Film Festival with Meghan Markle, mingling with A-listers just days later.

For some observers, the whiplash underscores how unsettled his post-royal life still appears to be. One Hollywood source told Page Six, “For Harry to go from the hearing (on Wednesday) — and pleading for privacy — to then go to Sundance just days after is nuts,” referencing Harry’s long-running legal battle with a British newspaper he has accused of making Markle’s life in England “absolute misery.”

The source’s blunt assessment reflects a broader sense that Harry remains emotionally tethered to his past, even as he tries to build something new in California. Harry has previously said that his life in the U.S. is what his late mother, Princess Diana, would have “wanted” for him.

Yet six years into that chapter, the reality looks increasingly complicated. Page Six reports that several of the multimillion-dollar deals the Sussexes signed to support their new lifestyle have either ended or failed to gain traction. Their Archewell foundation, once positioned as the centerpiece of their philanthropic work, has also struggled, with insiders suggesting it has “basically gone kaput.”

Harry, born in 1984, is still estranged from Prince William and has seen King Charles only a handful of times in recent years. According to sources quoted by Page Six, he lacks both a steady income and a clear sense of direction: “Harry’s not really doing anything in America.” The source added: “It seems he is still very wrapped up in the past.” The source said that while there have been rumors of new business ventures, “he and Meghan don’t have the best track record,” noting that Harry’s strongest success remains his service-driven Invictus Games.

Financial pressure appears to be another strain on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s California life. While Harry reportedly earned around $27 million from his 2023 memoir, “Spare,” Page Six notes that the cost of maintaining their lifestyle is staggering. The couple is said to spend between $2 million and $3 million a year on security alone, in addition to monthly payments on their $10 million mortgage and the costs of household and professional staff. According to one source, those mounting costs have forced the Sussexes to downsize their team.

In professional terms, insiders suggest Harry and Meghan are now moving in different directions. “For the first time in their relationship, they’re on different paths,” a source told Page Six, adding that the couple now maintains separate offices. Harry is believed to be “banking on speaking engagements for income right now,” while Meghan is focused on her As Ever lifestyle brand. That brand, however, has faced its own scrutiny.

Page Six reports that a recent website glitch briefly revealed large inventory numbers, prompting speculation about slow sales. A source close to the business pushed back in comments to PEOPLE, saying the data reflected strong demand and preparation for expansion, describing the brand as “flying, literally off the shelf.” Still, Meghan’s Netflix lifestyle series “With Love, Meghan” has reportedly been dropped after two seasons, following the earlier collapse of the Sussexes’ Spotify deal.

The challenges extend to their charitable work. Page Six reports that Archewell Philanthropies has downsized significantly, cutting three staff members and losing key leadership. “The big question was, would Archewell close, or would another charity take it over?” one source said, describing efforts to find a fiscal sponsor as “all smoke and mirrors.” Sadly, the setbacks paint a picture of a couple still searching for stability, and of a prince who, despite escaping the role of the royal spare, may find himself sidelined once again.

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What can you say about Prince Harry’s life in California? Do you agree that his supposed better life in the USA did not take off as he had hoped? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other British Royal Family fans out there!