At one point in time it looked as though the bond between Princes William and Harry was about as ironclad as they come. The brothers were cruelly forced to grieve for their mother, the late Princess Diana, in plain view of the world, but through thick and thin they always had each other.
These days their relationship is shot through with fissures opened in no small part by Harry and Meghan Markle’s vocal criticism of the Royal Family since their move to relocate in the US.
The Sussexes’ infamous interview with Oprah Winfrey set the tone for the tension that was to come, and their candid Netflix series, later followed by Harry’s explosive memoir, Spare, made it clear in no uncertain terms that they were prepared to snipe at the British monarchy without much concern as to who was in the firing line.
Needless to say, the likes of King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Kate Middleton, felt attacked by the many accusations consequently leveled. The result has been an uneasy standoff on either side of the Atlantic, with speculation insisting that Harry and Meghan are no longer trusted by the royal powers-that-be in Harry’s homeland.
For their part, it doesn’t much seem as though Harry and Meghan desire the affections of the establishment they left behind, though royal fans continue to hope that there might be a parlay of sorts in the future that at least dampens the fires of simmering animosity.
Next month Harry will return to the UK for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, and certain reports have suggested that the occasion might be used to facilitate a reunion of sorts between he and his brother, William. The Royal Family are in the midst of an almost unprecedented health crisis remember, with King Charles and Kate Middleton both fighting respective cancer battles.
Yet those envisioning a future wherein Harry makes peace and returns to the royal fold might be left sorely disappointed, as a leaked legal document this week outlined how the Duke of Sussex has officially changed his country of residence to the US.
On the face of it, the move might not come as a shock to most given that Harry has called the country home for years now, but his decision does mark a historic milestone in both his personal and professional life.
The document in question shows a change effective from June 29, 2023, and states that Harry has shifted his home base from the United Kingdom to the United States of America. Up until now the UK was listed as his country of residence. No more.
More than a a mere legal formality, Harry’s official change of residency symbolizes a new chapter in the Prince’s life. For one, it signifies that he’s fully embracing the US alongside Meghan and the couple’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The family have settled in a plush $14 million mansion in Montecito, California, and are now embarking upon a number of lucrative business ventures. Harry’s memoir, Spare, met with tremendous success upon its release, while the door remains open for whatever projects he and Meghan wish to take on, an obvious bonus of no longer being restricted to the rules and restrictions outlined by the Royal Family.
As for his connection with the monarchy, Harry has spoken previously about wishing to remain on good terms. With both sides reportedly wanting an apology from the other, however, the future is muddied with regards to how feasible a healthy working relationship might be moving forward.