It was a week of jarring contrasts for Prince Harry. On Wednesday, the Duke of Sussex was in a London courtroom, fighting back tears as he detailed how the British press made his wife Meghan’s life “absolute misery.” By Sunday, he was mingling with the Hollywood elite at the Sundance Film Festival.
But behind the flashbulbs, a darker reality is setting in. Six years into his California dream, the “royal warrior” seems to be crumbling into a “sidelined spare.” Today, on News TV, we look at why Harry’s Hollywood life is hitting a breaking point.
When Harry and Meghan left the UK, they banked on multi-million dollar deals to fund their lavish lifestyle. But those coffers are reportedly depleting fast. Their Spotify deal is gone. Their Netflix lifestyle show? Canceled after just two seasons with dismal ratings—ranking as low as 1,224th on the platform. Even their charitable arm, Archewell, is in trouble.
Now renamed Archewell Philanthropies, the foundation has let go of 60% of its staff. Key players like Executive Director James Holt have quit. Sources say the couple is desperately looking for a “fiscal sponsor” to keep the lights on. It’s a far cry from the global powerhouse they promised to be.
For the first time, Harry and Meghan are moving on “different paths.” They now operate out of separate offices. While Meghan, now 44, focuses on her “As Ever” lifestyle brand—which recently faced scrutiny after a website glitch revealed massive amounts of unsold inventory—Harry, 41, seems lost.
Aside from his Invictus charity, insiders say Harry isn’t “doing anything” in America. While Meghan pursues the spotlight, Harry is often described as a “glorified house-husband,” isolated from his UK friends and estranged from his brother, Prince William.
Living like royalty without the Crown’s paycheck is expensive. Between a $10 million mortgage and an annual security bill of up to $3 million, the pressure is mounting. Harry is reportedly banking on speaking engagements to stay afloat.
In Montecito, the reception is mixed. While some praise his “gentle and caring” nature at local fundraisers like One805, others are less kind. Local residents have noted that Harry’s “gusto” has fallen flat, with some even wishing he would just return to England.
Harry often says this life is what his mother, Princess Diana, would have wanted. But as he becomes the first modern royal to take the witness stand, it’s clear he is still haunted by the past. He recently won a battle for armed security in the UK, paving the way for a return this July for the Invictus Games.
But the question remains: Can he move forward? Sources say Harry is at his best when he focuses on service—like his work in Afghanistan and mental health advocacy—rather than chasing commercial fame.
Is Prince Harry truly happy in the Hollywood spotlight, or is he just a “spare” in a different country? As the Sussex brand struggles to find its footing, the royal warrior faces his toughest battle yet: finding a purpose in a world that moves on very quickly.
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What do you think? Should Harry return to his roots of service, or is there still hope for his Hollywood career? Let us know in the comments.