Prince Harry has ‘no interest’ in returning to royal duties
By Victoria Ward and India McTaggart
London: Prince Harry has “no interest” in returning to royal duties in the UK and is focused solely on his future in the United States, well-placed sources have told the London Telegraph.
Harry’s efforts to maintain contact with old friends, coupled with an evident desire to repair his relationship with King Charles, have prompted renewed speculation that he is seeking a fresh start and even an official working role within the family fold.
Prince Harry leaves after attending an Invictus Games Foundation 10th anniversary service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral in London in July.Credit: AP
But multiple sources close to the Duke of Sussex have said this is not the case and he is happy and settled in California, with an “amazing” new set of friends and several projects on the horizon.
Since relocating to the US, Harry has maintained contact with a tight group of trusted advisers with whom he worked in his former UK life, some of whom he occasionally turns to for advice.
However, they too expressed surprise at the suggestion that he might one day return to royal duties and were unaware of an alleged “blueprint” outlining how he might one day begin moving in UK circles again, the existence of which was first reported by The Mail on Sunday.
The newspaper claimed certain “friends” want a key lieutenant to lead a “comeback campaign”, naming Ed Lane Fox, Harry’s former private secretary, as the ideal candidate. Lane Fox, a former captain in the Household Cavalry, has maintained contact with him and sits on the board of the Invictus Games.
Prince William and Prince Harry after viewing the floral tributes for Queen Elizabeth II outside Windsor Castle following her death in 2022.Credit: AP
Harry has also stayed in touch with a handful of old friends from his school days.
Although many have been lost along the way – some when he met his wife and others when the couple moved abroad and embarked on a series of high-profile interviews criticising his family – the few who have stuck by him have remained fiercely loyal.
Those he is said to have contacted recently, out of the blue, are those acquired in more recent times rather than Old Etonian friends.
Loving life in the Americas: Prince Harry and Meghan on a recent visit to Colombia.Credit: AP
As he prepares to turn 40 next week, he may be reflecting on his life choices and those he has left behind. They include his father and his brother, with whom personal contact has all but evaporated.
Harry has made no secret of his wish to reunite with Charles in particular, despite conflicting narratives emerging from the two camps about efforts to make contact and who is rebuffing who.
The security issue also remains a key factor, with UK visits all but ruled out amid claims that it is too dangerous for Harry to return with no access to automatic police protection.
He is awaiting a date for his appeal against a High Court ruling after failing to successfully challenge the government’s position.
In the meantime, his clandestine visit last month, when he managed to fly in and out of the UK unnoticed to attend the funeral of his uncle, Lord Fellowes, in Norfolk, may pave the way for more frequent homecomings.
Although Team Sussex seemingly wanted to keep Harry’s attendance under wraps, it demonstrated that he could come and go with minimal fanfare and, therefore, minimal security risk.
The visit also showed that Harry is keen to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with his family. Those close to him maintain that, despite the ongoing rift with his father and brother, he is incredibly happy and is determined to look forwards, not back.
He is preparing for a trip to New York, where he will take part in engagements connected to his various charities, including African Parks, the Halo Trust, the Diana Award and Travalyst.
The Telegraph, London
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