Prince Harry At Risk Of Becoming 'Supporting Character' To Wife Meghan's 'Ambitions,' Expert Warns

Nearly six years after leaving royal duties, Prince Harry has settled in California with Meghan Markle, focusing on family life, philanthropy, and selected professional projects.

However, royal commentators believe the Duke of Sussex continues to be defined by his former position within the monarchy, a theme the former senior royal addressed in his 2023 memoir, "Spare."

Prince Harry has also spoken publicly about his enduring connection to Britain and his military service, while remaining estranged from his brother, Prince William.

Harry is said to still be grappling with the identity of being the "spare," though now in a very different setting, according to a royal commentator.

The Duke of Sussex relocated to the United States with Meghan Markle in 2020, choosing a life in California that's far removed from royal ceremonies and palace traditions.

Since then, the couple has focused on raising their family, philanthropic efforts, and a small number of high-profile business projects.

Despite the distance from the monarchy, royal analyst Kinsley Schofield suggested in comments to Fox News Digital that Harry hasn't fully shaken the role that once defined him.

The term "spare," long associated with his position behind Prince William in the line of succession, was notably reclaimed by Harry as the title of his 2023 memoir.

Schofield argued that while Harry may have exited the royal hierarchy, he has entered another.

"In Hollywood, he risks becoming the supporting character to Meghan Markle's ambitions. The entertainment industry rewards relevance, star power, and personal branding," she said.

According to Schofield, Harry appears to be searching for purpose outside of the identity tied to his royal status.

She noted that life in California seems to have left him without the structure that once grounded him, such as his close ties to family, the military, and royal institutions.

Although he enjoys financial independence and privacy, she believes he comes across as unsettled rather than fully established.

Harry has also acknowledged his complicated sense of belonging. In a personal essay published by The Independent in November 2025 ahead of Remembrance Day, he reflected on his enduring connection to Britain and his time in the armed forces.

"Though currently, I may live in the United States, Britain is, and always will be, the country I proudly served and fought for," he wrote. "The banter of the mess, the clubhouse, the pub, the stands, ridiculous as it sounds, these are the things that make us British. I make no apology for it. I love it."

Meanwhile, the strained relationship between Harry and William appears no closer to resolution.

Earlier this month, Harry returned to London from Montecito to give evidence in his legal case against British publisher Associated Newspapers. Despite being in the same city, the brothers did not meet.

Royal author Robert Jobson told HELLO! magazine that the divide between them now feels irreparable.

He described William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, "the embodiment of the future of the monarchy," while portraying Harry as stuck revisiting old conflicts. Jobson suggested William is focused on long-term responsibility, whereas Harry remains engaged in disputes tied to "yesterday's battles."

During his court appearance, Harry accused sections of the British press of making Meghan Markle's life "an absolute misery."

Jobson contrasted this with William's forward-facing approach, arguing that trust between the brothers has eroded to the point where reconciliation seems unlikely.

"One brother is moving forward," he said, "and the other won't let go of the past and the bitterness."

Despite the ongoing rift with his brother, Harry has continued to maintain contact with his father, King Charles III.

During a visit to the UK in September, the duke met privately with the king for the first time since February 2024, a meeting that reportedly reopened lines of communication between them.

That encounter also fueled speculation that Charles could play a role at next year's Invictus Games, which will be held in the UK for the first time since 2014.

According to The Mirror, sources close to the family say Harry is eager for his father to attend, potentially joining him to open the event honoring wounded veterans and service members.

According to experts, King Charles' potential support of Harry could place him in a difficult position.

Publicly backing the Duke of Sussex risks the perception of favoritism at a time when royal unity remains fragile.

BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond noted that while Invictus is Harry's most significant personal achievement, navigating family dynamics has never been simple for Charles.

"Any father would want to support his son as the games come to the UK," she said, "but it's not straightforward for the King – sadly for him, his family matters never are."