Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Life in California After the Monarchy

Five years after leaving royal life, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have settled into California with mixed results. While Meghan thrives in Hollywood, sources say Harry still wrestles with loss, distance from family, and the weight of a life he left behind.

It has been five years since Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, purchased their Montecito, California, home and officially began their post-royal chapter.

The move promised freedom, privacy, and control. Instead, it has delivered a complicated mix of opportunity, criticism, and emotional trade-offs that continue to shape their lives.

Life Away From the Royal Family

Prince Harry spent his entire life under public scrutiny, but Hollywood attention has proven to be a different challenge. Royal author Christopher Andersen has claimed that Harry remains uneasy living in the celebrity-focused environment of California. According to Andersen, the prince struggles with social anxiety and has not fully adjusted to the relentless spotlight.

Although Harry and Meghan chose to step away from royal duties, the separation has come with emotional consequences. Andersen noted that missing family traditions such as Christmas gatherings and Trooping the Colour still weighs heavily on Harry. While the couple made a clean break from royal life, blood ties remain difficult to ignore.

Harry’s Struggle and His Children’s Future

Despite reports that Harry is “content” with his current life, there is lingering sadness tied to what his children may never experience. Archie and Lilibet are growing up without firsthand knowledge of royal traditions, relationships, or public service. For Harry, that loss is personal, even if he believes the decision was necessary.

At the same time, another source told Page Six that Harry is relieved to be free from British tabloids. Without rigid royal schedules, he enjoys greater autonomy and the chance to shape his own identity beyond palace walls.

Meghan’s Return to Hollywood

While Harry adjusts, Meghan appears more comfortable in California. She has embraced life in the entertainment industry and reentered the Hollywood space with confidence. However, public response has been uneven.

The couple’s 2022 Netflix series, "Harry & Meghan," drew 2.1 million viewers in its first week. By comparison, Meghan’s lifestyle series "With Love, Meghan" attracted roughly a quarter of that audience during the same period. The numbers highlight a shift in public interest and growing scrutiny around their individual projects.

A Question of Identity

Critics have also pointed out contradictions in the couple’s post-royal branding. Although Meghan and Harry distanced themselves from royal life, Meghan has insisted on using the title “Meghan Sussex.” The choice drew attention during an episode of her show featuring Mindy Kaling and sparked renewed debate over authenticity versus strategy.

To supporters, the title reflects heritage. To critics, it undermines the couple’s stated desire to move beyond royal associations.

Family First

Despite the challenges, Meghan and Harry remain united. Sources say Harry’s estrangement from his father, King Charles III, and brother, Prince William, has been painful. Still, he reportedly chose to accept that loss to protect his marriage and children.

The Sussexes have prioritized privacy and stability for Archie and Lilibet, maintaining a close-knit family life in Montecito. Friends describe their home as calm, structured, and centered on parenting.

Life in California has not been simple for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The freedom they sought came with personal sacrifice, public criticism, and ongoing emotional strain. Yet, five years later, they remain committed to their path. For better or worse, the Sussexes continue to move forward together, building a life defined on their own terms.