Prince Harry's California Dream Hits a Rough Patch — Sources Say He Rarely Leaves the House
While Harry once envisioned a life of global influence, insiders suggest he has instead become a ‘glorified house-husband’ and barely steps out.
Six years after leaving the royal life behind for Montecito, Prince Harry’s American reinvention appears to be stalling. While the Duke of Sussex once envisioned a life of global influence, insiders suggest he has instead become a ‘glorified house-husband’ as his professional endeavors sputter and his social circle shrinks. The contrast in Harry’s life was on full display this week when he was in a London courtroom fighting back tears while testifying against the publisher of the Daily Mail. By January 25, he was rubbing elbows with Hollywood’s elite at the Sundance Film Festival. Yet, behind the scenes, as per sources, his California dream is looking increasingly hazy.
Despite his initial burst into the American market with a $27 million memoir and blockbuster deals, the Sussex coffers are reportedly depleting. With the couple’s Spotify deal long gone and Meghan Markle’s Netflix lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan, recently axed after failing to enter the top 1,000 shows on the platform, the Duke’s own calendar looks remarkably empty. Adding to the same, a Hollywood source opined, as per Page Six, “Harry's not really doing anything in America." They continued, "It seems he is still very wrapped up in the past. There have been rumors that Harry is starting a business, but he and Meghan don’t have the best track record.”
The insider also noted that while Markle remains active in her As Ever lifestyle brand, Harry is often left at home. “I don’t think they leave the house much,” said the source, also adding, “Meghan does, maybe, but not so much Harry.” While the work has allegedly slowed, the expenses have not, with the couple having to maintain an annual security bill estimated at around $3 million, monthly payments on a $10 million mortgage, and the high overhead for a dwindling staff at Archewell Philanthropies, which has reportedly let go of 60% of its workforce. “I think Harry’s banking on speaking engagements for income right now,” said the source, highlighting that the Prince is allegedly struggling to find purpose beyond his past royal status.
In Montecito, Harry’s local reputation is a mixed bag. While he has been praised for his ‘gentle and caring’ nature during charity work for local organizations like One805, some neighbors remain skeptical of the couple’s intentions. “Harry probably came here with a lot of gusto, but a lot of it fell flat," said Montecito resident Gail Pollard. “I’d like to see him go back [to England]. That was the feeling in our small community. I don’t care for either one of them. They’re not sincere. They’re doing everything for fame and fortune.”
As the Duke of Sussex is reportedly preparing to return to the UK this July for the 2027 Invictus Games’ one-year countdown—the project everyone agrees he excels at—the question remains whether he can transition from a sidelined ‘spare’ in California back to the man of service he once was.
