During a solo appearance in New York, Prince Harry firmly dismissed the possibility of moving back to the UK, citing deeply personal reasons for his decision to remain in the United States with his family.
Speaking at The New York Times Dealbook Summit, where he appeared without Meghan Markle, Harry opened up about his life in America. When asked by host Andrew Sorkin if he intended to stay in the U.S. permanently, Harry replied unequivocally: “I do. I very much enjoy living here and bringing my kids up here.” He further explained that his life in America feels like “the life my mum wanted” for him—free from royal duties and the intense scrutiny that accompanies them.
Harry highlighted the main reason for staying in the U.S.: the privacy and security it affords his family. He noted that his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are able to enjoy a life filled with activities they “undoubtedly wouldn’t be able to do in the UK,” where heightened security concerns would make such a lifestyle impossible.
This desire for privacy has been a longstanding issue for Harry. In 2020, he took legal action against the UK’s Home Office after the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) downgraded his taxpayer-funded security when visiting the UK. Despite his legal battles, including an unsuccessful High Court challenge earlier this year, Harry’s appeal to reinstate full protection remains ongoing.
For now, Harry says his focus is on being “the best husband and the best dad that I can be,” emphasizing his commitment to his family and their life in the U.S.
Harry’s New York trip adds to a growing list of individual public appearances by the Sussexes. Their last in-person joint event was over 100 days ago, on August 18, during a four-day trip to Colombia. Since then, they’ve only appeared together virtually in a video message sent to a United Nations conference on November 8.
During the summit, Sorkin addressed public curiosity about their separate engagements, quipping: “I Google Newsed you, and there were people fascinated by everything you’re doing, all the time. They’re fascinated by Meghan being in California right now, and you’re here. Why are you doing independent events? Why aren’t you doing them together?”
Harry humorously responded: “Because you invited me, you should have known!” prompting laughter from the audience. He also dismissed rumors about their relationship with a touch of humor, saying: “Apparently we’ve bought or moved house 10, 12 times. We’ve apparently divorced maybe 10, 12 times as well. It’s just like, what? It’s hard to keep up with, but that’s why you just sort of ignore it. The people I feel most sorry for are the trolls.”
While Harry was in New York, Meghan attended a high-profile fundraising gala in Beverly Hills. Wearing a sleek black gown, Meghan was photographed alongside filmmaker Tyler Perry at the Paley Honors gala held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Perry, a longtime friend of the couple, was among the honorees at the event.
As Harry and Meghan continue to pursue separate projects and appearances, they remain united in their goal of building a fulfilling life for their family in the U.S. Their commitment to privacy, family values, and meaningful causes drives their decisions as they navigate this new chapter of their lives away from royal obligations.