Prince Harry is reportedly reflecting on the choices that led him away from royal life, with experts suggesting he has “regrets,” even though a return to official duties is seen as unlikely.
As he and his wife, Meghan Markle, approach their eighth wedding anniversary, attention has shifted to their life in California and what the future holds for them.
The upcoming 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham is also being seen as a possible moment for Prince Harry and Meghan to reconcile with the royal family despite the growing strain.
Royal commentators claim Harry now carries significant regrets about leaving the royal family, even as the possibility of an official royal return remains highly unlikely.
As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex near their eighth wedding anniversary on May 19, their journey since stepping away from royal life continues to draw attention.
After marrying in a globally watched ceremony at Windsor Castle in 2018, Harry and Meghan traded palace traditions for a new life in California, building a more independent and commercial path away from the monarchy.
But the transition from royal life to Montecito was far from seamless. Royal analyst Richard Fitzwilliams described the move as “destructive,” suggesting the separation from Britain may not have unfolded the way Harry originally imagined.
Fitzwilliams believes the duke still wants stronger ties to the UK, especially with King Charles and his longtime friends.
He suggested Harry may be hoping to reconnect, particularly “depending on the security decision which we still await, closer ties with Britain and certainly with his father and with his friends.”
Invictus Games In Birmingham Sparks Speculation Over Prince Harry’s Plans To Make His Way Back Into The Royal Family
Attention has now turned toward the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, where Harry is expected to play a major role. Some royal commentators believe the event could also serve as an opportunity for the Duke of Sussex to slowly repair damaged ties with the royal family.
Commentator Hilary Fitzpatrick suggested that Harry’s continued involvement with major UK events may signal a desire to reconnect with his former life.
“I mean, if he didn’t (regret his decisions), we wouldn’t have Birmingham coming up next year,” Fitzpatrick claimed, per GB News. “We wouldn’t have the plan so obvious to try and in one way or another to persuade King Charles to open (the door to a return).”
The relationship between Harry and the monarchy has remained deeply strained since his royal exit. Reports suggest contact between Harry and his father has been minimal in recent years, fueling continued speculation over whether reconciliation is realistic.
The Duke Of Sussex Has ‘Many Regrets’ About His Life Choices
According to insiders, Harry has not seen Charles since last September, following an earlier stretch of nearly two years without meeting.
There have also been claims that the duke floated the idea of appearing alongside Charles during the Birmingham games as a symbolic gesture toward healing family divisions.
Royal commentator Rafe Heydel-Mankoo believes Harry is still searching for the sense of purpose he once had within royal life.
He pointed to the prince’s recent appearances overseas, including visits to Australia and Ukraine, as signs that Harry is attempting to maintain a public image closely tied to his former royal role.
“I think it’s quite clear that Prince Harry has many regrets about the life choices that have ended up with him being estranged from his homeland and from his family and from the role he most enjoyed: being a royal prince,” Heydel-Mankoo said.
He added that Harry’s recent international appearances resemble unofficial royal tours, suggesting the duke may still be trying to demonstrate that he can operate in a royal-style capacity despite stepping away from official duties.
Expert Claims Prince Harry And Meghan’s Public Relevance ‘Depends On Their Proximity To Royal Family’
Heydel-Mankoo also argued that both Harry and Meghan likely understand how closely their “prominence, their status, depends on their proximity to the royal family.”
He argued that as the pair have moved further away from “the royal world,” public interest in them has gradually declined, not just in their roles, but in them as individuals.
The commentator claimed the couple has, in various ways, continued to “style themselves and carry on activities as if they were still working members of the royal family.”
Heydel-Mankoo’s remarks come after the royal couple’s Australia trip, where they engaged in various activities associated with a typical royal tour, including visiting a hospital.
A Prince Harry Royal Return Is ‘Inconceivable’ For King Charles And Prince William, Expert Claims
Royal commentator Heydel-Mankoo further argued that Harry’s recent international appearances may be an attempt to demonstrate that he remains capable of performing public-facing duties at a royal level, should an opportunity for reconciliation ever arise.
However, he firmly dismissed the idea of any formal return to royal life due to how much had happened since he and his wife turned their backs on their roles as working royals.
“There’s a world of difference,” he said, “between what Harry hopes will happen and what has any chance of happening.”
He added that it was “inconceivable” that either Charles or Prince William would reopen the door for Harry to rejoin the royal fold.