Prince Harry’s California chapter was supposed to be the fresh start, the clean break from royal chaos, tabloid cruelty, and a family dynamic that never quite made room for him. But six years into life on the West Coast, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the Golden State hasn’t magically erased the weight he carried with him from the UK.
Earlier this week, Harry was visibly emotional in court while revisiting painful memories tied to press intrusion, only to be spotted days later rubbing shoulders with Hollywood insiders at the Sundance Film Festival. That whiplash perfectly captures his current reality in California: one foot still firmly planted in the past, the other awkwardly trying to keep up with a life he hasn’t fully settled into yet, per Page Six.
As one industry source put it, bouncing from a legal battle about privacy straight into a star-studded festival scene is “nuts,” and highlights just how unresolved things remain for the prince.
Prince Harry Still Hasn’t Settled Into Life In California
Harry has said more than once that living in America is what his mother, Princess Diana, would have wanted for him. And yet, the reality of building a new life outside the royal machine has proven far more complicated than simply relocating to a sunny California enclave. The massive media and streaming deals that once made headlines have mostly fizzled out, and the couple’s charitable efforts under Archewell have struggled to stay afloat.
At 41, Harry finds himself in an uncomfortable in-between phase. He remains estranged from Prince William, has only seen King Charles sporadically, and no longer has the clearly defined role that once shaped his identity. Some insiders describe him as lacking direction, a sharp contrast to Meghan Markle, who remains deeply focused on building her As Ever lifestyle brand and maintaining industry relationships.
“I don’t think they leave the house much,” said the source. “Meghan does, maybe, but not so much Harry.” Another revealed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are “on different paths” when it comes to their careers.
Financial pressures haven’t helped. While Harry reportedly earned a substantial sum from his memoir Spare, the cost of maintaining their California lifestyle is staggering. Between security, a hefty mortgage, and staff expenses, the money goes fast. Speaking engagements appear to be his primary income stream for now, and rumors of new projects often seem to stall before they materialize.
Harry and Meghan Are Moving In Different Directions
Professionally, Harry and Meghan are also said to be moving in different directions for the first time. They now operate from separate offices, and while Meghan continues to push forward with brand ventures, Harry appears more uncertain about his next move. Those close to him say his most successful and fulfilling work has always been service-based, particularly with Invictus, yet even that hasn’t fully filled the void left behind by royal life.
Socially, Harry’s circle in California seems small. Many of his longtime UK friends have faded from his life, and most of his current connections come through Meghan. Outside of family time with Archie and Lilibet and the occasional polo outing, insiders say Harry keeps a low profile and rarely ventures out.
For all the sunshine, status, and proximity to power, California hasn’t delivered the clarity Prince Harry may have hoped for. Instead, it’s become a place where unresolved grief, shifting ambitions, and an uncertain future quietly collide, proving that even an ocean away, the past has a way of following you.
Nina Franklin 
Kenna Raye 
Casey James 
