Prince Harry has admitted that his current life with Meghan Markle is not what he had pictured and he hopes to make amends with his family this year, a source has claimed. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex toured Nigeria in May and Colombia in August, but they spent much of 2024 working separately. Harry carried out solo engagements in Toronto, where the Invictus Games will be held next month, and he also visited New York, London, South Africa and Lesotho on his own.
Meanwhile, his wife Meghan made two surprise appearances on the red carpet in Beverly Hills, including on one occasion when she was reunited with her friend, film producer Tyler Perry, at The Paley Honors gala. But according to a source, the pair’s current set-up of pursuing individual paths is no longer working – and on top of that, Harry is hoping to heal the rift with his family in the U.K. in 2025.
Last year, Harry addressed rumors of a split after fans pointed out that he and his wife appeared to be living “separate lives” due to their solo engagements. The prince said, “We’ve apparently divorced maybe 10, 12 times… It’s hard to keep up with, but that’s why you just sort of ignore it.”
But even though he denied the rumors, it is claimed the Sussexes hadn’t imagined that their lives would be the way they are now. Speaking to Heat Magazine, a source said, “On the surface of it all, Meghan and Harry are doing the best to laugh off rumors that things are not exactly rock solid between them. But the truth is, the life they’re living now isn’t what either of them had imagined from the beginning.”
The source also added that Harry is “taking accountability” for the ongoing tensions with his family, while Meghan “puts the blame firmly on them” which is creating issues. The rift began five years ago, when Harry and Meghan announced they were stepping down as senior royals and would split their lives between the U.K. and the U.S.
Then one year later, the couple opened up about their struggles within the royal family in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, during which they said there had been discussions about the color of their firstborn child’s skin colour and detailed allegations that the Palace had dismissed fears about Meghan’s mental health. Harry also made further claims about his family in his memoir Spare, which came out in 2023, and detailed arguments Meghan had with his brother, Prince William, and his wife Catherine.
However, Harry is said to be determined to make amends in 2025, as the source said: “Harry is telling Meghan that things are not working for him. The major sticking point remains the mess he’s made with his family – which is difficult now that he’s taking accountability for it, while Meghan still puts the blame firmly on them.” And while Meghan is supportive, she isn’t considering returning to the U.K. herself, according to the source.
They added, “She will not even consider going back to the U.K. or bending over to apologize. But Harry is feeling the heat from his close friends, who are constantly worrying about him. They can tell he has a strong desire to make amends in any way that he can with his father and brother, but his new life in the U.S. is holding him back from that.
“His pals have even said that it’s good he is spending time apart from Meghan, as it’s been like a pressure cooker, trying to decide what they’re going to do going forward. With there being so many health scares in the royal family – both with Catherine and King Charles – Harry is feeling more homesick than ever and the inner turmoil of not being in a good place with his family is driving him wild.”
The source claimed that the past year has taken “a huge toll” on Harry’s wellbeing as he wants “nothing more than peace” with his family in Britain but is worried that Meghan’s goals “just don’t align with that.” They added, “He’s scared he could end up estranged with his family for the rest of his life.”
It comes after another source suggested Meghan is actually warming to the idea of a reconciliation after seeing the royal family unite at Christmas. King Charles, Prince William and Catherine were among the royal family members celebrating the festive season together in Norfolk. They also came together for Catherine’s carol concert last month.
“She and Harry both saw pictures of the carol concert and of the royals at Christmas and do have regrets about things – especially that they don’t have a relationship with Harry’s family,” the source told The Mirror. They added, “It hurts to see all the kids getting on, while their little ones don’t really know their cousins or extended family.”
Harry and Meghan share two children together – Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Their kids have spent very little time in the U.K., with Lilibet only visiting her father’s home country once. The source continued, “They want to make changes – but they have to work together as a team and both feel comfortable with what they’re doing.”
They admitted Meghan has been “reluctant” to come together with the royal family, but suggested that has now changed. “She knows life is short and maybe they should finally start building bridges,” the source said.
Harry has previously opened up about his family and revealed plans for more trips to the UK. “So my family and my life in California is as it is. I have got other trips planned. That would take me through the UK or back to the UK, so you know, I’ll stop in and see my family as much as I can,” he said during an appearance on Good Morning America.
