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PRINCE Harry says he and wife Meghan Markle have no plans to leave the US anytime soon.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex relocated to Montecito in California in summer 2020, just months after stepping down as working royals.
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Harry, 40, has made several solo trips back to the UK this year alone – though remains estranged from much of the Firm.
The revelation comes after he and Meghan, 43, were rumoured to have snapped up a luxurious property in Alentejo, Portugal.
He is also continuing to press ahead with a legal battle against the Home Office over his taxpayer-funded security to ensure his family’s safety.
Harry and Meghan share kids Prince Archie, five, and three-year-old Lilbet.
Speaking during The New York Times’ DealBook Summit, the King’s youngest son said today: “I very much enjoy living here and bringing up my kids here.”
There are activities he can do with his children that he “undoubtedly wouldn’t be able to do in the UK”, he said, citing concerns about security.
Harry said his focus now is on “being the best husband and the best dad that I can be”.
SOCIAL MEDIA BAN
The Duke went on to tell NYT columnist and event founder Andrew Ross Sorkin he opposes a social media ban for children because it could lead to family arguments and bullying by classmates.
Instead, he said such companies should be subject to greater transparency and accountability.
He said social media has “already been intentionally created to be addictive” so banning it or removing it, “creates all sort of problems”.
Harry said he doesn’t have his own social media accounts to help protect his peace.
“I try to think at these things through the lens as a dad,” he said.
“It’s not a coincidence that the world has become more volatile and more divided since social media has been around for 20 years,” Harry added.
It comes after Meghan sent a message of support to guests at a charity’s carol concert in central London, wishing attendees a Merry Christmas “from my family to yours”.
Meghan’s remarks were shared in the programme for UK charity Smart Works’ carol service at St Marylebone Parish Church on Tuesday.
William and Harry send separate messages to award winners
The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex are once again offering their congratulations separately to winners of the Diana Award, set up in memory of their mother.
William has written a letter, which was posted on Wednesday, praising the “extraordinary” recipients for their “kindness and compassion”, and telling them: “My mother… would be immensely proud of you.”
The prince, in his letter on Kensington Palace headed notepaper, describes how the “world can feel an uncertain and unfamiliar place”, and he praises the winners for overcoming barriers to “make positive change”.
Harry, meanwhile, has recorded a video message which will be played during the virtual Diana Award ceremony on Thursday.
The duke will speak of how Diana’s view of the world still inspires him as he outlines the challenges the world faces including “systemic injustices”.
He, like William, will reference the charity’s mission of inspiring young people to make “positive change”.
Harry will say: “My mother’s belief in the power of young people to drive positive change continues to inspire me.
“No matter the challenges we face, whether it’s climate change, mental health or systemic injustices, her legacy and the efforts of young people to inspire further action in the world fill me with hope.”
The royal brothers have a long-running rift which worsened in the wake of the allegations Harry levelled at William and the Princess of Wales in his Netflix documentary and Spare autobiography.
Their fractured relationship shows no sign of healing despite the health troubles faced by the royal family in 2024.
The Diana Award said the charity, which is marking 25 years since it was set up in honour of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, “has the support of both her sons, HRH The Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex”.
William’s letter reads: “Congratulations on receiving The Diana Award!
“I am so proud of the impact every one of you has had on your communities and beyond.
“You are driven by kindness and compassion and through this you are all changing the world for the better.
“In this special 25th anniversary year for the Diana Award, it is wonderful to see young people from across the globe being recognised.”
He added: “At times, the world can feel an uncertain and unfamiliar place and I know many of you have had to work hard to overcome barriers to make positive change.
“Despite this, I am heartened to see what inspirational young people like you can achieve.
“I know my mother, in whose memory you receive the Diana Award today, would be immensely proud of you.
“I hope this award helps you to further champion your cause and support those around you.
“Thank-you for your dedication. You are all extraordinary.”
The letter was signed “William”.
PORTUGAL
Harry and Meghan are understood to have bought a property in Portugal, that sits just a stone’s throw away from Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank.
The couple reportedly plan to set up a base there after being seen in the area last September following the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany.
They currently live in an £11million Montecito mansion, which boasts nine bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, a pool and a tennis court.
A source told Closer: “Buying in Portugal is a shrewd move for Meghan.
“She’s deeply concerned that the Royal Family might manipulate Harry into reintegrating without her, so she needs to be proactive to make sure she’s not isolated or pushed to the sidelines.
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“Now, if it is deemed safe from a security standpoint, it’s likely she’ll give her blessing for Harry to take Archie and Lilibet to see their grandpa, King Charles, at some point.
“And in terms of logistics, having a place in Portugal will make that easier, because Meghan can fly over with the kids without feeling trapped.”
Meghan has returned to the UK just twice since the Sussexes stepped down as working royals in 2020.
Both of the visits were in 2022, with the first being the late Queen’s Jubilee and then her funeral.
Meghan sends messages to charity’s carol concert
The Duchess of Sussex has sent a message of support to guests at a charity’s carol concert in central London, wishing attendees a Merry Christmas “from my family to yours”.
Meghan’s remarks were shared in the programme for UK charity Smart Works’ carol service at St Marylebone Parish Church on Tuesday.
Smart Works helps unemployed women with clothing and coaching to secure employment, and the duchess has been a patron of the charity since 2019.
According to an image of the programme shared by People magazine, Meghan said: “As proud patron, it is my pleasure to warmly welcome you all this evening to the Smart Works Carol Concert.
“Tonight promises to be a truly magical celebration, filled with special guests and performers, and most importantly, the shared spirit of community that defines Smart Works.
“Together we gather to honour the work and dedication of this remarkable organisation, which continues to empower women across the UK through coaching, dressing and instilling confidence on their journey to employment.
“Thank you for giving your support by being here in St Marylebone Parish Church, under the beautiful haze of Christmas wreaths and candlelight.”
She continued: “In a year where the landscape for women in the workplace has continued to shift, Smart Works has stood as a steadfast source of encouragement. Their service is more than rediscovering employment, it is rediscovering empowerment.
“As Smart Works continues to uplift the community, I hope you will continue to support them. I hope you enjoy the festivities, and, from my family to yours, I wish you a very Merry Christmas.”
Other famous faces were involved in the service, with actress and comedian Jennifer Saunders doing a reading and X Factor winner Alexandra Burke performing Hallelujah.
After the service, Burke wrote on her Instagram story: “What a special night. Proud to be an ambassador for @smartworkscharity.”
Prince Harry’s trips have been more frequent, with him doing four visits this year.
In September the Duke made a solo trip to attend the WellChild Awards where he met seriously ill youngsters and their families.
During the whistle stop visit he did not meet up with Prince William and King Charles, according to reports.
The couple are said to have splashed out on the home in Portugal after being asked to vacate their former UK home Frogmore Cottage by King Charles two years ago.
It is said to be close to Harry’s cousin Princess Eugenie, Jack, August, two, and Ernest, six months, who are said to be splitting their time between living at the CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club and their life back in the UK.
The reason for the move is Jack’s job, as he is doing marketing, sales and promotion for property entrepreneur Mike Meldman, who is managing the 300-home development there.
The purchase may allow the Sussexes to acquire a “Golden Visa”, where they would have access to the EU’s Schengen area, reports the Daily Mail.
Megxit timeline
- November 2016 – Harry formally reveals he is in a relationship with Suits actress Meghan Markle.
- September 2017 – Meghan tells Vanity Fair the couple are in love and happy together.
- September 2017 – The couple make their first public appearance together holding hands at the Invictus Games in Toronto.
- November 2017 – Prince Charles issues a statement revealing Harry and Meghan are engaged.
- May 2018 – Harry and Meghan tie the knot, becoming Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
- October 2018 – The couple announce they are expecting their first child while on their first overseas tour in Australia.
- March 2019 – Harry and Meghan set up their own household, splitting their joint operation with Prince William and Kate.
- May 2019 – Meghan gives birth to a baby boy named Archie.
- October 2019 – Harry reveals his rift with his brother William in a bombshell documentary.
- January 2020 – The couple stun the Queen by announcing plans to quit senior roles and settle in North America. After ten days of talks at Sandringham, it’s agreed the couple will no longer be working royals and will give up their “Royal Highness” titles.
- March 2020 – Harry and Meghan carry out their last official engagement and move to California.
- September 2020 – Netflix announces a huge deal with the couple.
- February 2021 – Buckingham Palace announces the couple’s split as working members of the monarchy is permanent and they will lose their royal patronages.
- March 2021 – The palace says it is “very concerned” about allegations of bullying made by former staff of Harry and Meghan, launching a probe.
- March 2021 – Meghan tells Oprah Winfrey Archie wasn’t made a prince after “concerns and conversations” about “how dark” his skin would be when he was born. She claims Kate “hurt her feelings” and made her cry before her wedding. Harry says Charles has stopped taking his calls and he has been “cut off” financially.
- January 2023 – Harry publishes his tell-all memoir Spare, launching scathing attacks on William, Kate and Camilla. He says he and William once got into a physical fight over Meghan.
- April 2023 – Harry has a “heart-to-heart” talk with his dad before agreeing to come to the Coronation in London.
- September 2023 – Harry rejects an offer to spend the anniversary of the Queen’s death at Balmoral with his father.
- February 2024 – Prince Harry flies to the UK to be with his father as royal experts claim their four-year rift could be put aside. They meet for half an hour before Harry flies home. He does not meet William.
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