Six years after Prince Harry stepped back from his royal role to build a new life with Meghan Markle in California, a royal author says aspects of that decision remain “painful” for him.
Christopher Andersen claims that, in addition to strained family relationships and the loss of close friendships, Harry has struggled with another aspect of his new life. According to the royal author, leaving behind his deep ties to the royal military after being stripped of his honorary titles in February 2021 has been particularly difficult.
Andersen told Us Weekly that the loss of these titles was “painful” for the Duke. However, his continued work with the Invictus Games, which he founded in 2014, remains a vital tie to his fellow veterans.
The royal author said the Invictus Games have “allowed [Harry] to stay connected to that world.” According to the organization’s official website, the Invictus Games use sport as a pathway to recovery for wounded, injured, or ill veterans.
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Andersen added, “People often forget that Harry is at his core an army officer. He’s all about structure, honor, and duty, things that are missing from his life in Montecito.”
The author claims Harry is happy in California, but misses aspects of his life in the United Kingdom. As he works towards a full reconciliation with his father, King Charles, Harry remains estranged from his brother, Prince William, as well as Kate Middleton and other senior royals.
These tense relationships followed Harry’s decision to step back from his royal role and speak out about the royal family in print and televised interviews. The prince also wrote about his life experiences in the autobiography Spare, released in January 2023.
In one chapter, he wrote about meeting Charles and William in an attempt to clear the air between them. “Every time I ventured a new explanation, started a new line of thought, one or both of them would cut me off. Willy, in particular, didn’t want to hear anything. After he’d shut me down several times, he and I began sniping, saying some of the same things we’d said for months—years. It got so heated that Pa raised his hands.”
“‘Enough!’ He stood between us, looking up at our flushed faces: ‘Please, boys—don’t make my final years a misery,'” Harry penned.
In the years since, Harry has tried to mend fences with King Charles. After his father’s cancer diagnosis in February 2024, the prince flew to the United Kingdom to meet with the monarch. However, according to Newsweek, they only spent one hour together.
In September 2025, Harry and Charles met for tea at Clarence House. Since then, father and son have reportedly not met in person.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle live in Montecito, California. They have two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
This story was originally published by Parade on Jan 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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