According to reporting by the Telegraph, Harry later regretted having “blindsided” his grandmother by not speaking to her privately beforehand.
A source told the newspaper: “I don’t think he fully appreciated the impact the statement would have in terms of them not consulting the Queen. He regrets that.”
The episode reportedly weighed on Harry, particularly given his close relationship with the late monarch. Despite that regret, there is little indication he questions the broader decision to leave royal life behind.
Instead, Harry, 41, has repeatedly spoken about the sense of freedom and gratitude he feels living in the United States.
Those feelings have been expressed across several platforms, including the Netflix docuseries Harry and Meghan in 2022 and his memoir Spare, released the following year.
Most recently, he reflected on his life in America during a public appearance in December.
While speaking with columnist and DealBook founder Andrew Ross Sorkin at The New York Times DealBook Online Summit on December 4, Harry said: “I very much enjoy living here and bringing my kids up here.”
He added: “It’s a part of my life that I never thought I was going to live.I feel as though it’s the life that my mum wanted for me.”
“To be able to do the things I’m able to do with my kids that I undoubtedly wouldn’t be able to do in the UK – it’s huge. That is a fantastic opportunity and I’m hugely grateful for that.”
Harry and Meghan relocated overseas in 2020 and later purchased an £11 million mansion in Montecito, California, where they have remained ever since.
They are raising their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, away from the constraints of royal tradition. In recent years, the couple have increasingly embraced life in the public-facing world of California and Hollywood.
Harry’s memoir Spare became a global bestseller, while Meghan has released two seasons of her With Love, Meghan series and launched her lifestyle brand As Ever in 2025 following her return to social media last year.
