Prince Harry, once a vibrant figure in British social circles and a decorated member of the British Army, is reportedly experiencing a wave of nostalgia and longing for the past. Sources close to the couple suggest that Harry is yearning for the camaraderie and familiar faces he left behind in the UK. While Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is known for her robust social circle, there are speculations that she might not easily fit back into Harry’s old group, making reconnection challenging.
Experts believe the Duke of Sussex is growing increasingly bored in California, where the couple relocated in 2020 after stepping down from their royal duties. Speaking to The Mirror, royal commentator Tom Quinn said, “Harry is increasingly bored and looking back across the Atlantic where most of his army and school friends still live and whom he never sees because they won’t visit him in the States because they find Meghan difficult.”
Living in California with Meghan and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, Harry missed a major royal wedding this year where his brother William served as an usher. He chose not to attend the wedding of his childhood friend and Archie’s godfather, Hugh Grosvenor, last month to avoid overshadowing the event. According to Quinn, Harry’s friends “hate” visiting him in California and “don’t like Meghan,” holding her responsible for transforming Harry into what they refer to as “Harry the Hippy.”
“The truth is that Harry has reinvented himself in a way that just doesn’t work for his family or for friends from the past when he was a very different character,” Quinn added.
Compounding the issue, Harry’s memoir “Spare” has reportedly upset some of his past military buddies. A few have expressed feeling let down by how he depicted their military service, viewing it as a show of disregard for military customs. This disagreement might explain why Harry felt isolated during his recent trip to the UK for Invictus’ commitments. He opted for a hotel instead of staying at a royal residence, spending time only with relatives from his mother’s side.
Royal analyst Tom Quinn believes Harry might be intentionally distancing himself from his old classmates and military colleagues, referring to them as part of his “pre-Meghan” era—a period he seems eager to move past.
Despite these struggles, Prince Harry continues to navigate his new life in California while dealing with the complexities of reconnecting with his past. His efforts to balance his new identity with his old friendships remain a poignant aspect of his journey.