Since stepping back from senior royal duties in 2020, Prince Harry has pursued a new life in the United States alongside his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. The couple, who now live in California with their two children, have developed careers outside the traditional royal framework through media projects, philanthropy, and public speaking. While media coverage has included both praise and criticism, only a portion of what circulates online is supported by verifiable reporting.
Stepping Back From Royal Duties
In January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan announced they would step back as senior working members of the British royal family. This decision was confirmed by Buckingham Palace and widely reported by established outlets including the BBC, Reuters, and The New York Times.
Later that year, the couple relocated permanently to California, where they settled in Montecito, Santa Barbara County. Their move and decision to pursue financial independence marked a significant change in how they would fund their lives, no longer receiving public funding for official royal work.
Confirmed Income Streams: Media Projects and Publishing
Netflix Agreement
In 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan signed a multi-year production agreement with Netflix through their company, Archewell Productions. This was confirmed by Netflix and reported by major outlets such as Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and BBC News.
Projects released under the deal include:
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Harry & Meghan (2022 documentary series)
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Heart of Invictus (2023 documentary series focused on the Invictus Games)
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Other development projects announced by Netflix
While Netflix does not publicly disclose contract values or ongoing internal decisions, reputable outlets have confirmed that the partnership has produced released content and remains part of the couple’s professional portfolio.
Memoir: Spare
Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare, was published in January 2023 by Penguin Random House. The book’s commercial success is well documented by industry reporting from outlets such as The Guardian, BBC, The New York Times, and Publishers Weekly.
It became one of the fastest-selling nonfiction books in modern publishing history, according to the publisher’s official figures. However, exact personal earnings attributed to Prince Harry are not publicly confirmed by accounting records, and reputable outlets typically avoid presenting precise net-income figures as fact.
Publicly Documented Work and Roles
Invictus Games
One of Prince Harry’s most consistently documented roles is his ongoing involvement with the Invictus Games, the international sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel that he founded in 2014.
The Invictus Games Foundation is a registered charity, and Harry regularly appears at events connected to the organization. His participation has been covered by major outlets such as the BBC, Reuters, Associated Press, and Sky News. His role in promoting the Games is verifiable and continues to be a central part of his public work.
Archewell Foundation
Prince Harry and Meghan jointly run the Archewell Foundation, a registered nonprofit organization in the United States. Like all U.S. charities, Archewell is required to file annual financial reports (Form 990) with the Internal Revenue Service.
These publicly available filings — which have been reviewed and reported on by outlets such as The New York Times and The Washington Post — show that:
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Archewell has made grants to multiple charitable organizations
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The foundation operates with paid staff
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Revenue and expenses vary year to year, as is common with nonprofits
Some media outlets have reported that Archewell’s revenue fluctuated between reporting periods. This is verifiable through public tax filings and is not unusual within the nonprofit sector.
Staffing Changes and Organizational Adjustments
Changes in staff within Archewell and the couple’s communications team have been reported by reputable publications including The Telegraph, People, and The New York Times. Staff turnover within public organizations, production companies, and nonprofit foundations is common and does not in itself indicate instability.
While some tabloid-style coverage frames these changes dramatically, responsible reporting generally treats them as normal professional developments unless confirmed otherwise by official statements.
Speaking Engagements and Professional Appearances
Prince Harry has participated in several documented speaking engagements since moving to the United States. These include appearances at:
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Corporate events
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Mental health conferences
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Philanthropy-focused summits
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Veteran-related gatherings
Such engagements have been reported by outlets including Reuters, CNBC, and BBC News when they occur in public settings. Speaking work is a common activity for public figures and does not rely on speculation when confirmed by event organizers or covered by established media.
Meghan’s Business Ventures
Meghan has announced the development of a lifestyle brand called As Ever, a project confirmed by her through public channels and reported by reputable media including Vogue, BBC, and The New York Times. Like many startup ventures, its long-term commercial performance cannot yet be evaluated based on verified data.
It is important for responsible reporting to distinguish between announced projects and measured outcomes. As of now, the brand’s existence is confirmed, while its commercial success remains something that will only be measurable over time.
Commentary From Named Experts
Some commentary about Prince Harry’s adjustment to life outside the royal system has come from named commentators, which is an important distinction from anonymous “insiders.”
For example:
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Royal biographers such as Christopher Andersen have offered opinions in interviews about the contrast between royal life and life in California. These are presented by reputable outlets as personal interpretation, not as established fact.
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Historians such as Marlene Koenig have spoken publicly about how royal roles traditionally provide structure that differs from private life. These comments are framed as expert analysis rather than insider knowledge.
When such perspectives are included, they are clearly identified as commentary.
Life in California: What Is Confirmed
What can be confirmed through reputable sources is relatively straightforward:
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Prince Harry and Meghan live in Montecito, California
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They are raising their two children, Archie and Lilibet
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They operate a nonprofit foundation
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They have produced media content under commercial agreements
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They participate in selected public and philanthropic events
A Career in Transition
It is fair, based on publicly available information, to say that Prince Harry’s career today looks very different from his previous life as a working royal. His roles are now centered around:
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Philanthropy (Invictus Games, Archewell)
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Media projects
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Occasional public speaking
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Advocacy for causes such as mental health and veteran support
Career transitions of this scale often take time, especially when moving between institutions as different as the British monarchy and private American enterprise.
Conclusion
Prince Harry’s post-royal life in California is best understood through confirmed activities rather than speculation. Reputable reporting establishes that he remains active in philanthropy, continues to work on media projects, and participates in public engagements when relevant to his causes.
While commentary about his future direction continues across media platforms, the factual record shows a public figure navigating a significant career shift while maintaining ongoing involvement in charitable and professional initiatives.