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It’s been more than five years since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shocked fans everywhere when they announced they were stepping down from their roles as working royals. The couple left the U.K. for a new life in the U.S. While the duchess was very familiar with living in America and the way of life on the other side of the pond, her husband was not.

After staying at a residence in Vancouver Island, the Sussexes relocated to Tyler Perry’s mansion in Beverly Hills. There were reports then that Harry was having a hard time adjusting and wasn’t too fond of living in LA County. The pair then moved to a nine-bedroom, 16-bathroom mansion in Santa Barbara County’s Montecito neighborhood and the prince has been “enjoying” life there ever since.

At the New York Times annual DealBook summit last December Harry told columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin: “I enjoy living [in the U.S.] and bringing my kids up here, it’s a part of my life that I never thought I was going to live and it feels as though it’s the life that my mom wanted for me.”

And while Harry says he has no regrets about leaving his royal life in the U.K. behind, someone who used to work for him and his family doesn’t think that’s the case.

Prince Harry speaks onstage during The New York Times Dealbook Summit 2024
Prince Harry speaks onstage during The New York Times Dealbook Summit 2024 | Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for The New York Times

Former royal staffer believes Prince Harry does have ‘regrets’

Grant Harrold was King Charles’ butler for seven years. During his time working for the now-monarch, his duties included that of valet, housekeeper, house manager, and driver. Harrold also looked after Prince William and Prince Harry whenever they stayed at Highgrove House. He believes that the duke likely has some “regrets” given everything he gave up.

Speaking on behalf of JeffBet, Harrold said: “There’s part of me that thinks Harry does have some regrets about the fact that he’s left his home life, his friends, and his family behind to start a new life in the U.S. It was a big move with a lot of sacrifice.

“For Meghan, she still had her friends and, to an extent, her family in the form of her mom, so she didn’t have to make as huge a sacrifice. But I’m a huge believer in fate and things happen for a reason.”  

Ex-royal aide also thinks some family members would still welcome Harry back, but not all

Harrold also gave his thoughts on if any members of Harry’s family would welcome him back today after all that has happened.

Prince William and Prince Harry arrive for the unveiling of a statue they commissioned of their mother Princess Diana in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace
Prince William and Prince Harry arrive for the unveiling of a statue of their mother, Princess Diana, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace | Yui Mok – WPA Pool/Getty Images

The former royal butler opined: “I think things could have been different if Harry and Meghan had done a longer test run of the half-in and half-out scenario, rather than a complete breakaway. Then they could have worked out all the bumps in the road. But that was a long time ago now. Could they return? I’m not sure they could ever be working royals again.

“I have no doubt some members would welcome them back into the family but not as they were before. Harry and Meghan are both still technically senior royals and they have an important role to play if they want, but I don’t think they do.”

Harrold then acknowledged that it’s anyone’s guess if Harry’s relationship with his older brother can ever be repaired but once William is king, we may never see them together again.

“When William eventually becomes king, I don’t think things will change,” Harrold said. “Obviously, it would be nice for him to have his brother by his side but for William, all he needs is his wife and his children. He won’t close any doors and if the relationship is healed, then who knows? But I can’t see it happening.” 

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