Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex: Title, Family, and Current Life

Duke of Sussex since: 2018 ·
Number of children: 2 ·
Current residence: Montecito, California ·
Year stepped down as senior royal: 2020 ·
Book published: Spare (2023)

Six key facts about Prince Harry’s biography and current status.

Is Prince Harry Still the Duke of Sussex?

What does the Duke of Sussex title entail?

• The Duke of Sussex is a hereditary peerage granted by the monarch. Prince Harry was created Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton, and Baron Kilkeel on 19 May 2018 by Queen Elizabeth II (The Royal Family’s official website).
• The title is honorary and does not come with land or administrative duties; it is a courtesy title tied to the British honours system (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).

Can Harry lose the title?

• Under current rules, a hereditary peerage can only be removed by an Act of Parliament or by the monarch acting on government advice. There has been no public move to strip Harry of the title (Newsweek (US current affairs magazine)).
• The title remains in use on official documents and in media coverage, though Harry rarely uses it in his professional branding (his ventures are under “Sussex Royal” or simply “Archewell”).

The title remains a formal asset, but its operational weight has largely dissolved.

Why Did Harry and Meghan Leave the Royal Family?

What were the key reasons?

• The couple cited “intense media intrusion” and a “lack of support” from the institution as primary drivers (BBC News (UK public service broadcaster)).
• They expressed a desire for financial independence, which led to commercial deals with Netflix, Spotify, and book publishers (Newsweek).
• Harry later told Oprah Winfrey in March 2021 that the royal family had “no support” and that racism played a role in the couple’s treatment (BBC News).

How did the interview with Oprah influence the decision?

• The Oprah interview aired after the couple had already stepped down, but it crystallised the reasons publicly. The disclosure that a senior royal had expressed concern about Archie’s skin colour deepened the rift (BBC News).
• Buckingham Palace responded with a statement saying the issues were “concerning” and would be addressed privately (Newsweek (US current affairs magazine)).

The pattern: The exit was not a sudden decision but a convergence of long-simmering grievances – media pressure, institutional rigidity, and personal safety concerns – that made the couple’s position inside the Firm untenable.

The exit was less a sudden break and more a calculated withdrawal from an institution they felt could no longer protect or support them.

What Is the Current Situation for Meghan and Harry?

Are they still living together?

• Yes, the couple resides in a $14.65 million home in Montecito, California, with their two children, Archie (born 2019) and Lilibet (born 2021) (People (celebrity news outlet)).
• Harry has made several solo trips to the UK for legal hearings and charity events, while Meghan has remained in California.

What are their recent public appearances?

• On 8 September 2025, Harry appeared at the WellChild Awards in London, honouring seriously ill children and their families (YouTube video (WellChild Awards 2025)).
• Meghan has been less visible publicly; reports in early 2025 speculated about a possible health issue, but nothing has been confirmed by her team or reliable sources.

What about Meghan’s health?

• Unconfirmed rumours about an alleged diagnosis have circulated in tabloids, but the couple has never addressed them. The lack of official confirmation makes this a low-confidence claim.

According to a BBC News report from 29 June 2026, Harry still intends to bring Meghan and the children to the UK for a planned July 2026 visit tied to Invictus Games engagements (BBC News). The trip would be the first full family return in four years.

Their transatlantic existence is now defined by legal precarity and conditional access to the UK.

What Three Words Did Prince Harry Say About Kate Middleton?

Context of the words

• In his 2023 memoir Spare, Prince Harry described his sister-in-law Kate Middleton using three specific words. According to reports, the phrase was “the Princess of Wales” (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
• The words appear in a passage where Harry reflects on Kate’s role in the royal family after the Queen’s death.

What did Harry write in his memoir Spare?

• Harry reportedly wrote that Kate “is the Princess of Wales” – a title she officially assumed after King Charles’s accession. The line was interpreted by some as acknowledging her new senior status, though the broader context describes their complex relationship.

Because the exact wording has been reported differently across outlets (some say “the commoner” or “the duchess”), clarity is limited.

What Will Kate Be Called if William Becomes King?

What is Kate’s current title?

• Since 9 September 2022, Catherine has held the title Princess of Wales, the first person to do so since Diana Princess of Wales (The Royal Family’s official website). She is also Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge.

How does royal title succession work?

• When Prince William becomes king, Catherine will automatically become Queen Consort, the same title held by Camilla since King Charles’s accession. Under current protocol, she would be styled as “Queen Catherine” (Wikipedia).
• The title “Queen Consort” is a courtesy bestowed by the monarch through Letters Patent, but it is traditional for the wife of a reigning king to assume the queen consort title (BBC News).

The implication: Kate’s trajectory mirrors Camilla’s – a steady elevation from duchess to princess to queen consort. For the monarchy, this provides continuity and a clear public face for the next generation.

For Prince Harry, the practical value of the Duke of Sussex title has shrunk considerably since 2020. The legal battles over security and the physical distance from the UK mean the title is more of a historical label than a functional role. For the British public, the question is less about what Harry can call himself and more about whether he ever feels safe enough to bring his children home.

For a comprehensive overview of his title, family, and current life, you can refer to the article on Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.

Frequently asked questions