Key facts at a glance
Current status (2024–2025): Prince Harry remains a senior working royal; Meghan Markle is not a working royal but continues public work through Archewell. Both reside in California with their children.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Primary residence (2024) | Montecito, California, USA | Official announcements & credible reports |
| Professional focus | Harry: global wellbeing and veterans; Meghan: gender equity and social impact | Archewell Foundation & Royal Office statements |
| Working royal status | Harry: non-working senior royal (stepped back 2020); Meghan: never a working royal after marriage | Royal Family website & Buckingham Palace statements |
| Security | UK-funded when in UK; California-funded in USA; private for family safety | UK Treasury & Duke of Lancaster reports |
| Children | Archie Harrison (b.2019), Lilibet Diana (b.2021) | Official birth records & family statements |
1 Context: the Sussex partnership
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry met in 2016, married in May 2018 at Windsor, and became Duke and Duchess of Sussex. In January 2020 they announced they were stepping back as senior royals to pursue financial independence, termed “Sussex Royal” at the time. The Royal Family’s official website confirmed that Harry would remain a senior working royal while Meghan was not given a working royal title. Since then, the couple has focused on projects through Archewell, raising a family, and residing mainly in California, while occasionally engaging with UK and international audiences.
2 Timeline of major public milestones
2018: Marriage and early royal duties
The wedding at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, was widely covered. Both engaged in royal tours and hosted events at Kensington Palace. Meghan’s charity focus included women’s empowerment and mental health; Harry continued work on veterans’ issues and rugby league engagements.
2019–2020: Transition period
In late 2019, Buckingham Palace clarified arrangements regarding security and funding as the couple prepared to step back. The 2020 interview with Oprah Winfrey touched on personal challenges, leading to intensified global attention and policy discussions about royal communication.
2020–2023: Life after stepping back
The couple moved to North America, settled in Southern California, and launched Archewell Foundation and Archewell Productions. Harry’s memoir “Spare” (early 2023) offered personal reflections; Meghan’s involvement with Netflix and audio projects expanded her public profile. Both continued philanthropy, with emphasis on veterans, youth, and gender equality.
2024–2025: Current activities
Harry’s work on global health and service personnel continued; Meghan focused on advocacy with a particular emphasis on gender equity and creative storytelling. Family life in Montecito remained central, with reported travel for select events, while maintaining a primarily private home environment.
3 Public roles and official status
Since stepping back, Harry has not held public funds for official duties and does not represent the monarchy on official visits. He retains the title Prince of the United Kingdom and is listed as a senior royal in the line of succession. Meghan does not hold any royal style or official charitable roles and is addressed as Mrs in public life. Both use personal and Archewell channels to communicate rather than relying on institutional platforms.
Style and titles
- Harry: His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales (used publicly); remains a prince but not a working royal.
- Meghan: No royal style; known publicly as Meghan Markle or by her married courtesy usage in personal contexts.
4 Residences and security arrangements
After stepping back, the couple established their primary home in Montecito, while retaining connections to the UK. Security practices evolved to rely more on private arrangements, especially when in the United States, with UK-funded police support limited to official visits and primarily in England.
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| May 2018 | Wedding at Windsor | High-profile union integrating into senior royal life |
| Jan 2020 | Sussex Royal announcement | Formal transition away from senior royal duties |
| 2020 | Oprah interview | Shifted public discourse and institutional communication |
| 2023 | Publication of Harry’s memoir “Spare” | Personal narrative and reflections on royal life |
| 2024–2025 | Continued Archewell work; family life in Montecito | Sustained public engagement outside traditional royal structures |
5 Notable projects and focus areas
Archewell Foundation
Founded in 2019, Archewell focuses on equitable opportunities for young people and veterans, emphasizing data-driven approaches and collaboration with established partners. Programs prioritize mental health, civic engagement, and creative expression.
Professional ventures
- Harry: Speaking, consultancy on global health and veterans, involvement with conservation and sports-related initiatives.
- Meghan: Narrating and producing content focused on social impact, creative storytelling through audio and digital platforms, advocacy for women’s leadership.
6 Frequently asked questions
Because public interest remains high, these points clarify enduring questions with verified context.
- Do they still receive UK public money? No. Harry does not receive UK public funds for non-official activities; any UK policing costs for private visits are handled separately and are not routine.
- Are they still working royals? No. Both have a non-working royal status since stepping back in 2020, though they retain family titles.
- Where do they primarily live? Their main home is in Montecito, California. They travel for family, selected professional, and occasional UK events.
- Do they carry out official royal tours? Not as funded royal duties. Any appearances are personal or via commercial or charitable partnerships.
- How do they communicate with the public? Mostly via personal channels, statements through Archewell, and select media features rather than official palace communications.
7 What to watch going forward
Key enduring themes include Harry’s ongoing work on global health and veteran support, Meghan’s expanding role in advocacy and creative fields, and how the family balances public curiosity with private life. Security provisions and financial arrangements remain contextually important but operate at a stable, personal level in the California-based phase of their story.
As the public conversation matures, reliable updates will continue to emphasize verified milestones, transparent sourcing, and clarity on what constitutes official royal engagement versus personal and professional endeavors.