The gilded cages of Windsor may be a distant memory, but for Prince Harry, a different kind of hierarchy appears to have taken root in the sunshine of Montecito. Six years after the seismic shift of ‘Megxit’, the Duke of Sussex reportedly finds himself playing a familiar, secondary role—this time within his own marriage.
Despite leaving the royal fold to escape being the ‘spare’, experts suggest the 41-year-old royal is struggling to find his own footing in the unforgiving landscape of Hollywood. While his wife, Meghan Markle, 44, continues to expand her commercial empire, Prince Harry reportedly remains adrift in his professional life.
The couple’s transition to California in 2020 was intended to be a fresh start, yet the ghost of his past remains ever-present. His 2023 memoir, Spare, laid bare his frustrations at being secondary to Prince William, but it seems he may have simply swapped one shadow for another.
Prince Harry Risks Becoming A Supporting Character To Meghan’s Ambitions
Royal expert Kinsey Schofield recently told Fox News that the Duke is facing a harsh reality in the entertainment industry. She argues that ‘Prince Harry has essentially traded one hierarchy for another.’
In the British Royal Family, he was the spare to Prince William; in California, he risks becoming the supporting character to his wife’s brand. The cut-throat world of Hollywood rewards star power and personal branding, areas where Meghan appears to excel.
Since moving to their estate in Montecito, the former Suits actress has been a whirlwind of professional activity. From her lifestyle brand, As Ever, to her culinary pursuits with jam and jelly recipes, her strategy remains focused.
Her Netflix documentary series, With Love, Meghan, which debuted last year, further solidified her position as the primary driver of the Sussex brand. She is also heavily involved in their Archewell Philanthropies organisation, showing a clear command of their public-facing projects.
Schofield, host of the Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered podcast, explained that ‘Meghan has consistently demonstrated a clearer strategy and stronger command of that ecosystem.’ This leaves her husband in a vulnerable position as he searches for a niche.
By contrast, Harry has struggled to define a role beyond being ‘Prince Harry,’ which leaves him vulnerable to fading into the background. Without the structure of ‘The Firm’, he risks disappearing into the scenery of his own story.
The Struggle For Direction And A Steady Income For Prince Harry
The lack of professional momentum is reportedly taking a toll on the Duke’s sense of fulfilment. Sources close to the situation suggest he does not feel ‘settled’ in his West Coast life, largely due to the distance from his family in the United Kingdom.
In England, Harry was defined by his military service and his tireless work with veteran charities. In the Golden State, however, that sense of ‘direction’ has seemingly vanished, leaving a void in his daily life.
Insiders told Page Six on 26 January that Prince Harry is often ‘sidelined’ as the ‘spare’ within his relationship. He reportedly spends the majority of his time at home in California with Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4.
‘Harry’s not really doing anything in America,’ one source divulged. The insider added that ‘It seems he is still very wrapped up in the past,’ making it difficult for him to move forward.
There have been persistent rumours regarding the Prince starting a new business venture. However, critics point out that ‘he and Meghan don’t have the best track record.’
Financial concerns are also beginning to surface, with reports indicating that Harry lacks a ‘steady income.’ He is currently said to be ‘banking on speaking engagements for income right now.’
Despite these struggles, the Duke still has one major victory to his name: the Invictus Games. This charity remains his most significant achievement and a testament to his passion for service.
Screenshot, Youtube/E!News
‘He’s really great at service — look at the success of his Invictus charity. He really should just stick with that,’ the source claimed. Many believe that rather than chasing Hollywood fame, he should focus on the humanitarian work that once gave him purpose.
As the Sussexes continue their journey in America, the question remains whether Prince Harry can step out of the shadows. For now, the man who wrote a book about being second seems to be living that reality once again.