By D. W. G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
Departure from Royal Duties and Relocation
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, made headlines when they decided to step back from their official royal duties in January 2020. Their departure was fueled by frustrations over media intrusion and restrictions imposed by Buckingham Palace, particularly around the development of their "SussexRoyal" brand. Despite leaving their roles as senior royals, they retained their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles, although they no longer use their HRH titles, and Harry relinquished his military titles.
Following their departure, the couple moved to California in June 2020, seeking a more private life to raise their son Archie. Their daughter, Lilibet, was born in the US in 2021. In early 2023, they vacated Frogmore Cottage, their UK residence, marking a more definitive move away from the UK. Harry’s change in residency status was documented in April 2024, coinciding with increasing scrutiny over his US immigration status due to past drug use admissions. Despite these challenges, Harry continues to visit the UK for significant events and legal matters, such as attending the King's coronation and participating in court cases against newspaper publishers.
Building a New Life and Brand
Post royalty, Harry and Meghan have embarked on several commercial ventures. They established the Archewell charitable foundation and entered into lucrative deals with media companies. Archewell Productions, their media company, produces content for Netflix, including a documentary series on their lives and another focusing on the Invictus Games. Their partnership with Spotify ended in June 2023, but Meghan secured a new podcast deal with Lemonada Media in February 2024.
In addition to their media endeavors, Meghan launched a lifestyle brand named American Riviera Orchard in March 2024, hinting at a focus on food products with a retro themed video on Instagram. This new venture underscores their ongoing efforts to carve out a distinct identity separate from their royal past.
Harry also published a memoir, "Spare," in January 2023, detailing his personal and royal family experiences, which achieved significant sales success. Financially, they have benefited from inheritances, including the substantial fortune left by Princess Diana and possibly from the Queen Mother. Meghan's acting career, notably her role in the legal drama "Suits," also contributed to their financial independence.
Despite their move away from royal duties, Harry has been embroiled in several legal battles in the UK, primarily focusing on privacy and security issues. He won damages in a phone hacking claim against Mirror Group Newspapers and continues to pursue other legal actions against various publishers. These endeavors highlight the couple's ongoing struggle for privacy and security while building a new life in the US.