DINH DOONG

Prince Harry, son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has now officially confirmed his permanent residency in the United States. This announcement, submitted through official paperwork by a travel company he controls, cements what has been a steadily growing rift between Harry and his British heritage, as he continues to forge a new life with his American wife, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex.

The documentation, filed this week with British authorities, marks a significant milestone: it is the first formal acknowledgment that Harry, once a prominent and active member of the royal family, is no longer considered “usually resident” in the United Kingdom. Instead, Harry and Meghan’s home base has become their luxurious California villa, where they relocated four years ago, sparking a wave of media attention and family tension that has only grown with time.

The news of Harry’s U.S. residency adds an unexpected twist to his ongoing separation from the royal family, raising questions about his role within the monarchy. Until recently, Harry retained a place as one of King Charles III’s counselors of state, a title reserved for senior royals who can assume the monarch’s duties if he is indisposed. This official move may ultimately jeopardize that role, potentially altering the line of succession should a reorganization be required. The filing thus underscores Harry’s deepening distance from Britain and his firm decision to remain in the U.S. long-term.

The paperwork, filed by Travalyst Ltd., Harry’s sustainable travel company founded in 2020, subtly reflects Harry’s ongoing shift from royal duties to American business ventures. Originally designed to raise awareness for sustainable tourism, Travalyst is now seen as part of Harry’s evolving career beyond royal responsibilities, having grown to encompass collaborations with major tourism brands worldwide.

Adding fuel to the fire, Harry’s residency acknowledgment comes on the heels of repeated public criticisms of the royal family. These critiques, ranging from discussions of unconscious racial bias within the monarchy to anecdotes from his autobiography, Spare, have left the British public divided and many royal insiders feeling betrayed. His willingness to air private family grievances publicly has caused a marked strain, with some royals reportedly questioning his motivations. This latest development may only deepen those feelings, as Harry’s decision to “officially” distance himself from his royal duties casts uncertainty on whether he will ever return to the fold.

The formal documentation also brings new implications for the Sussexes’ long-term plans. Despite pursuing media and business ventures with multimillion-dollar deals in the U.S., Harry and Meghan have occasionally signaled that their relationship with the royal family is still important. However, this latest move presents an unexpected complication: while the prince’s personal success has flourished stateside, the formal paperwork may make any future attempts at reconciliation more challenging.

British commentators have been quick to react to the news, with some arguing that this step could mark the end of Harry’s status as an active member of the royal family, even symbolically. As public interest in his role within the monarchy surges again, speculation arises over whether King Charles will adjust Harry’s counselor of state role, effectively formalizing Harry’s absence from royal duties.

Prince Harry’s acknowledgment of U.S. residency signals a new chapter, one in which he and Meghan appear set to build their future far from the palace walls. Yet as the paperwork becomes public, the royal family’s response remains uncertain. For now, all eyes are on King Charles III to see how he might react to his son’s latest step away from Britain, leaving the world to wonder if the rift will ever be repaired.