Prince Harry has “no interest” in leaving the United States and returning to royal duties in Britain, sources say.
The Duke of Sussex has reportedly sought advice from former trusted aides on how to plan his return to the UK, nearly five years after he and his wife, the Duchess of Sussex, stepped down as senior royals and moved to Montecito.
But sources close to Harry, who turns 40 next week, told the The Telegraph newspaper who is based in California with Meghan, 43, and their children, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.
They also claim Harry has a new group of ‘amazing’ friends in the US and several projects on the horizon.
She is currently preparing for a trip to New York, where she will take part in events related to her various charities, including the Halo Trust and the Diana Award.
Sources close to Harry, who turns 40 next week, told the Daily Telegraph that he is based in California with Meghan, 43, and their children, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three. Prince Harry and Meghan pictured with their children in December 2021
The Duke of Sussex has reportedly sought advice from former trusted aides on how to plan his return to the UK.
The Mail on Sunday revealed last week that the Duke had distanced himself from his “Hollywood publicists” and had resorted to texting former confidants “from his old life” about planning a return from exile in the US.
It marks the first stage of a possible strategy to “rehabilitate” Harry and repair his relationship with his father, King Charles, following his cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
Sources stressed that Harry and Meghan, who have spent the past four years living in self-imposed exile in California with their two children, are not seeking a permanent return.
The paper also revealed that the couple have split with another American PR adviser. Christine Weil Schirmer joined the Sussexes in 2020 as head of communications but quietly left late last year.
She is the 10th member of staff to leave the couple in three years and last month took a job at PR giant Brunswick, advising clients on reputation management.
Last month, it emerged that the Sussexes’ chief of staff, Josh Kettler, had suddenly quit his job after just three months.
“Harry is distancing himself from all Hollywood publicists and is seeking advice from his old friends and associates,” a source said.
“It’s clear that he’s thinking, ‘I need to do something different because what I’m doing is clearly not working.’ In short, he’s rethinking the way he operates.”
Harry and Meghan attend the cycling medal ceremony on the cycling track during day six of the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany, in 2023.
Harry and Meghan at an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens, Kensington Palace, in November 2017
Prince Harry attends the Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service at St Paul’s Cathedral on May 8
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend the ‘Afro Women and Power’ forum in Cali, Colombia on August 18
Representatives for Prince Harry did not respond to a request for comment.
Ending his rancorous feud with his brother William is not seen as a realistic goal, but last week this newspaper revealed the King may be open to healing the rift with his younger son and had consulted with religious leaders as he explores the nature of forgiveness.
At least one of the advisers contacted by Harry is a trusted “old-school” figure, known for his loyalty and discretion.
A friend has already come up with a strategy for how Harry could begin moving in UK circles again, including carrying out “very low-key royal duties”, although the duke is said to be open to ideas from many sources.
A source said the friend “believes that if Harry returns to the UK quietly, without publicity and without attending very mundane events, he could prove himself and win back the British public.”
He would have to accept, however, that he might be forced to cut ribbons for a long period, but that would give him a new purpose to work with.
But the source said that would only happen “if certain members of the family could find it in themselves to allow it.”
Meanwhile, the Duke has sent conciliatory messages to several old friends in the UK via WhatsApp. They are ready and willing to help him smooth the way back to Britain, with some referring to their task as “Operation to bring Harry in from the cold.”
Friends of the duke hope the duke’s former private secretary Edward Lane Fox will be the one to lead the return. One said: “If anyone can do it, it’s Edward. The last time I saw him, I felt like grabbing him by the shoulders and saying: ‘Ed, please bring our boy home. Now is the right time.'”
Asked about helping Harry, Mr Lane Fox told this newspaper: “I’m afraid it’s not something I have an opinion on.”
Prince William and Prince Harry walk side by side after viewing floral tributes for the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Windsor Castle.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex pictured in 2018 attending the Your Commonwealth Youth Challenge reception at Marlborough House, London in 2018
Kate, William, Harry and Meghan are photographed together at Windsor Castle in the days following the Queen’s death at Balmoral Castle.
Although there are fears that Harry’s relationship with his brother has been irreparably damaged, the duke seems less bitter of late.
To the relief of his family, he has decided not to update his bitter memoir, Spare, for its paperback edition, due out on October 24, and will not give interviews to publicise it.
On Thursday, the Prince flew from his Montecito mansion to join his estranged brother, the Prince of Wales, for a memorial service for his late mother’s brother-in-law, Lord Robert Fellowes.
The service took place at St Mary’s Church, near Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, but witnesses told The Mail the brothers “kept their distance” and were not seen speaking to each other.