In 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a choice that altered the course of their lives: they stepped away from royal duties and relocated to the United States, seeking privacy and financial independence. Five years later, the couple has settled in Montecito, California, where they raise their children, Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3. Far from the United Kingdom and the royal spotlight, they’ve built a commercial empire that includes multimillion-dollar Netflix deals, the launch of Meghan’s lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard, and media projects reflecting their personal passions. The debut of the series “With Love, Meghan” on March 4 marked another milestone in their journey from royal figures to successful entrepreneurs, with Meghan exploring cooking and friendship in an approachable, lighthearted format.
Leaving the royal family wasn’t just a geographic shift but a break from a system Harry felt constrained his freedom. Frustrated by media intrusion and the inability to develop their “SussexRoyal” brand, they chose a self-directed path. Harry, still fifth in line to the British throne, retained his prince title, while Meghan remains the Duchess of Sussex, though both relinquished “His/Her Royal Highness” status and the financial perks tied to the monarchy. An initial sum from Charles, then Prince of Wales, eased their transition, but today they rely on ventures like Netflix productions, books, and family inheritances to sustain their lifestyle in the US.
Life in the United States has brought fresh challenges and achievements. Settled in a mansion valued at over $14 million, Harry and Meghan balance parenting with projects aligned with their values, such as philanthropy through the Archewell Foundation. The 2022 documentary “Harry & Meghan” and Harry’s 2023 memoir “Spare” offered glimpses into their royal past, while “With Love, Meghan” reveals a softer, personal side of the duchess. This blend of business and strategic exposure keeps them in the public eye, even thousands of miles from London.
Why Harry and Meghan left the British royalty
Stepping down from royal duties in January 2020 stemmed from years of tension with the press and Buckingham Palace. Harry and Meghan, who met in 2016 and wed in 2018 at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, faced relentless media scrutiny they deemed invasive. The tipping point was the palace’s refusal to let them develop “SussexRoyal,” a brand meant for their personal and commercial endeavors. Feeling trapped in a system that stifled their growth, they announced they’d no longer serve as senior royals and would seek financial independence outside the monarchy.
Harry’s departure cost him his military titles, a loss he’s called painful given his history as an army captain and founder of the Invictus Games. Meghan stepped away from acting, having starred in over 100 episodes of “Suits,” to focus on royal life and later their US ventures. Their move to California in June 2020, after a brief stay in Canada, was driven by a desire to raise Archie in a calmer environment, away from London’s pressures. Lilibet, born in 2021, solidified their American roots as a “native Californian,” as they’ve jokingly noted.
The decision rippled through the royal family. When Charles became king in 2022, Archie and Lilibet gained the titles of prince and princess of Sussex, but Harry’s ties with his brother William and father remain strained. Visits to the UK are now infrequent, often tied to specific events or legal battles, like lawsuits against British tabloids. Their exit, though divisive, paved the way for a life Harry says mirrors what his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, would have wanted: freedom and safety.
New home in Montecito: where Harry and Meghan settled
Since moving to Montecito, a coastal town known for privacy and celebrity residents, Harry and Meghan have found a haven to build their family. Their 2020 purchase, a nine-bedroom mansion with sprawling grounds, offers the space they sought for Archie and Lilibet. Located two hours from Los Angeles, it provides access to the entertainment industry without the city’s chaos. By April 2024, official documents listed the US as Harry’s usual residence, quashing rumors of a UK return.
Leaving Frogmore Cottage, a gift from Queen Elizabeth II, marked a turning point. In 2023, they were asked to vacate the Windsor estate property, renovated with public funds before their departure. The move sparked debate but underscored their US independence. Life in Montecito includes low-key routines, like local outings with the kids, and heightened security—a priority for Harry after years of threats in the UK. In December 2024, he said this life is what his mother would have “wanted” for him, emphasizing the peace found in their new home.
Harry’s US visa status has also drawn scrutiny. A conservative American think tank questioned his entry due to drug use admissions in “Spare,” but a federal judge ruled in September 2024 that his immigration records would stay private. Despite this, their Montecito life remains steady, centered on business and family, far from speculation about a European comeback.
Income streams: how Harry and Meghan earn today
Away from royalty, Harry and Meghan have diversified their earnings through bold ventures. As working royals, 95% of their income came from Charles, with the rest from the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant. After stepping down, Charles provided a substantial sum for their transition, but they now rely on independent projects. The Archewell Foundation, launched in 2020, drives their philanthropy, while deals with Netflix and Spotify generate millions. “With Love, Meghan,” released on March 4, is the latest from their Netflix deal, exploring lifestyle topics across eight episodes.
Meghan’s American Riviera Orchard, unveiled in 2024, promises products like jams and decor, teased in a retro video of her cooking. Other Netflix outputs include “Polo,” aired in December 2024, and documentaries like “Harry & Meghan,” which peeled back royal life. Harry’s “Spare” sold 467,000 copies in its first week in 2023, boosting income and donating to charities like Sentebale and WellChild. Meghan’s 2021 children’s book “The Bench” and inheritances from Diana (£13 million) and the Queen Mother add to their wealth.
The $25 million Spotify deal ended in 2023 after “Archetypes,” prompting Meghan to sign with Lemonada Media in 2024 for a podcast due this year. Her “Suits” earnings—$50,000 per episode—supported their early US move. These efforts showcase how they’ve turned their royal exit into a self-sustaining business machine.
Spotlight projects: from Netflix to American Riviera Orchard
Harry and Meghan’s US ventures reflect their personalities and goals. Their Netflix partnership, started in 2020, has delivered varied content. “With Love, Meghan” features the duchess in a relaxed setting, cooking and hosting friends, while “Polo” dives into Harry’s beloved sport. The 2022 “Harry & Meghan” series and 2023’s “The Heart of Invictus” tackled personal themes, like his military past. These projects, part of a multimillion-dollar deal, establish Archewell Productions as a media contender.
American Riviera Orchard, launched by Meghan in March 2024, is another standout. Though details are sparse, branded jam jars surfaced online, hinting at gourmet offerings. Named after Santa Barbara’s “American Riviera” moniker, it aligns with the Sussex.com site, debuted in 2024, branding them as business and philanthropy leaders. This mix of media and lifestyle diversifies their income and leverages their global fame.
“Spare,” released in January 2023, was a commercial hit, detailing Harry’s family ties and grief over Diana’s death. Its success, paired with charitable donations, amplified their reach. These efforts, alongside the upcoming Lemonada podcast, signal a thriving future for the Sussexes in the US, free from royal constraints.
UK visits: Harry’s returns in 2025
Though US-based, Harry maintains UK ties, returning for key moments. In January 2025, he was in London to settle a case against News Group Newspapers, securing an apology and damages for privacy breaches from 1996 to 2011. Earlier, in September 2024, he attended the WellChild Awards, honoring ill children—a cause close to his heart. Meghan hasn’t joined these trips, focusing on US projects and family life.
Recent visits include a May 2024 service at St Paul’s Cathedral for the Invictus Games’ 10th anniversary and a February 2024 meeting with Charles after his cancer diagnosis, lasting 45 minutes. He saw neither William nor Charles during the May visit, highlighting their rift. Charles’ May 2023 coronation, the 2022 Platinum Jubilee, and Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral also brought them back, though Meghan’s appearances are scarce. These trips balance past duties with their American life.
Fascinating facts: Harry and Meghan’s US journey
The couple’s US chapter brims with intriguing details. Here are some highlights:
- Harry said in 2024 his California life is what Diana would have wanted for him.
- Meghan sent American Riviera Orchard jams to stars like Kris Jenner in 2024.
- “Spare” was the UK’s top nonfiction book in 2023, selling 467,000 copies on debut.
- They keep a low profile in Montecito but are spotted at local cafes with the kids.
These snippets show how they’ve blended privacy with influence. Montecito offers seclusion, while their ventures keep them globally relevant.
Security and legal battles: Harry’s UK challenges
Protecting his family drives Harry, who’s clashed with the UK government over security. After stepping back, he lost senior royal protection levels. In 2024, the High Court upheld the Home Office’s “bespoke” measures as legal, denying his bid to fund enhanced security. In June, his team won permission to appeal, keeping the issue alive.
Legal fights with newspapers also defined 2025. In January, he settled with News Group Newspapers, gaining damages and an apology for intrusions affecting even Diana. A 2024 win against Mirror Group Newspapers yielded £140,600, while a case against Associated Newspapers persists. These battles underscore his efforts to safeguard his family and address past wrongs, despite his US base.

In 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a choice that altered the course of their lives: they stepped away from royal duties and relocated to the United States, seeking privacy and financial independence. Five years later, the couple has settled in Montecito, California, where they raise their children, Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3. Far from the United Kingdom and the royal spotlight, they’ve built a commercial empire that includes multimillion-dollar Netflix deals, the launch of Meghan’s lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard, and media projects reflecting their personal passions. The debut of the series “With Love, Meghan” on March 4 marked another milestone in their journey from royal figures to successful entrepreneurs, with Meghan exploring cooking and friendship in an approachable, lighthearted format.
Leaving the royal family wasn’t just a geographic shift but a break from a system Harry felt constrained his freedom. Frustrated by media intrusion and the inability to develop their “SussexRoyal” brand, they chose a self-directed path. Harry, still fifth in line to the British throne, retained his prince title, while Meghan remains the Duchess of Sussex, though both relinquished “His/Her Royal Highness” status and the financial perks tied to the monarchy. An initial sum from Charles, then Prince of Wales, eased their transition, but today they rely on ventures like Netflix productions, books, and family inheritances to sustain their lifestyle in the US.
Life in the United States has brought fresh challenges and achievements. Settled in a mansion valued at over $14 million, Harry and Meghan balance parenting with projects aligned with their values, such as philanthropy through the Archewell Foundation. The 2022 documentary “Harry & Meghan” and Harry’s 2023 memoir “Spare” offered glimpses into their royal past, while “With Love, Meghan” reveals a softer, personal side of the duchess. This blend of business and strategic exposure keeps them in the public eye, even thousands of miles from London.
Why Harry and Meghan left the British royalty
Stepping down from royal duties in January 2020 stemmed from years of tension with the press and Buckingham Palace. Harry and Meghan, who met in 2016 and wed in 2018 at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, faced relentless media scrutiny they deemed invasive. The tipping point was the palace’s refusal to let them develop “SussexRoyal,” a brand meant for their personal and commercial endeavors. Feeling trapped in a system that stifled their growth, they announced they’d no longer serve as senior royals and would seek financial independence outside the monarchy.
Harry’s departure cost him his military titles, a loss he’s called painful given his history as an army captain and founder of the Invictus Games. Meghan stepped away from acting, having starred in over 100 episodes of “Suits,” to focus on royal life and later their US ventures. Their move to California in June 2020, after a brief stay in Canada, was driven by a desire to raise Archie in a calmer environment, away from London’s pressures. Lilibet, born in 2021, solidified their American roots as a “native Californian,” as they’ve jokingly noted.
The decision rippled through the royal family. When Charles became king in 2022, Archie and Lilibet gained the titles of prince and princess of Sussex, but Harry’s ties with his brother William and father remain strained. Visits to the UK are now infrequent, often tied to specific events or legal battles, like lawsuits against British tabloids. Their exit, though divisive, paved the way for a life Harry says mirrors what his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, would have wanted: freedom and safety.
New home in Montecito: where Harry and Meghan settled
Since moving to Montecito, a coastal town known for privacy and celebrity residents, Harry and Meghan have found a haven to build their family. Their 2020 purchase, a nine-bedroom mansion with sprawling grounds, offers the space they sought for Archie and Lilibet. Located two hours from Los Angeles, it provides access to the entertainment industry without the city’s chaos. By April 2024, official documents listed the US as Harry’s usual residence, quashing rumors of a UK return.
Leaving Frogmore Cottage, a gift from Queen Elizabeth II, marked a turning point. In 2023, they were asked to vacate the Windsor estate property, renovated with public funds before their departure. The move sparked debate but underscored their US independence. Life in Montecito includes low-key routines, like local outings with the kids, and heightened security—a priority for Harry after years of threats in the UK. In December 2024, he said this life is what his mother would have “wanted” for him, emphasizing the peace found in their new home.
Harry’s US visa status has also drawn scrutiny. A conservative American think tank questioned his entry due to drug use admissions in “Spare,” but a federal judge ruled in September 2024 that his immigration records would stay private. Despite this, their Montecito life remains steady, centered on business and family, far from speculation about a European comeback.
Income streams: how Harry and Meghan earn today
Away from royalty, Harry and Meghan have diversified their earnings through bold ventures. As working royals, 95% of their income came from Charles, with the rest from the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant. After stepping down, Charles provided a substantial sum for their transition, but they now rely on independent projects. The Archewell Foundation, launched in 2020, drives their philanthropy, while deals with Netflix and Spotify generate millions. “With Love, Meghan,” released on March 4, is the latest from their Netflix deal, exploring lifestyle topics across eight episodes.
Meghan’s American Riviera Orchard, unveiled in 2024, promises products like jams and decor, teased in a retro video of her cooking. Other Netflix outputs include “Polo,” aired in December 2024, and documentaries like “Harry & Meghan,” which peeled back royal life. Harry’s “Spare” sold 467,000 copies in its first week in 2023, boosting income and donating to charities like Sentebale and WellChild. Meghan’s 2021 children’s book “The Bench” and inheritances from Diana (£13 million) and the Queen Mother add to their wealth.
The $25 million Spotify deal ended in 2023 after “Archetypes,” prompting Meghan to sign with Lemonada Media in 2024 for a podcast due this year. Her “Suits” earnings—$50,000 per episode—supported their early US move. These efforts showcase how they’ve turned their royal exit into a self-sustaining business machine.
Spotlight projects: from Netflix to American Riviera Orchard
Harry and Meghan’s US ventures reflect their personalities and goals. Their Netflix partnership, started in 2020, has delivered varied content. “With Love, Meghan” features the duchess in a relaxed setting, cooking and hosting friends, while “Polo” dives into Harry’s beloved sport. The 2022 “Harry & Meghan” series and 2023’s “The Heart of Invictus” tackled personal themes, like his military past. These projects, part of a multimillion-dollar deal, establish Archewell Productions as a media contender.
American Riviera Orchard, launched by Meghan in March 2024, is another standout. Though details are sparse, branded jam jars surfaced online, hinting at gourmet offerings. Named after Santa Barbara’s “American Riviera” moniker, it aligns with the Sussex.com site, debuted in 2024, branding them as business and philanthropy leaders. This mix of media and lifestyle diversifies their income and leverages their global fame.
“Spare,” released in January 2023, was a commercial hit, detailing Harry’s family ties and grief over Diana’s death. Its success, paired with charitable donations, amplified their reach. These efforts, alongside the upcoming Lemonada podcast, signal a thriving future for the Sussexes in the US, free from royal constraints.
UK visits: Harry’s returns in 2025
Though US-based, Harry maintains UK ties, returning for key moments. In January 2025, he was in London to settle a case against News Group Newspapers, securing an apology and damages for privacy breaches from 1996 to 2011. Earlier, in September 2024, he attended the WellChild Awards, honoring ill children—a cause close to his heart. Meghan hasn’t joined these trips, focusing on US projects and family life.
Recent visits include a May 2024 service at St Paul’s Cathedral for the Invictus Games’ 10th anniversary and a February 2024 meeting with Charles after his cancer diagnosis, lasting 45 minutes. He saw neither William nor Charles during the May visit, highlighting their rift. Charles’ May 2023 coronation, the 2022 Platinum Jubilee, and Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral also brought them back, though Meghan’s appearances are scarce. These trips balance past duties with their American life.
Fascinating facts: Harry and Meghan’s US journey
The couple’s US chapter brims with intriguing details. Here are some highlights:
- Harry said in 2024 his California life is what Diana would have wanted for him.
- Meghan sent American Riviera Orchard jams to stars like Kris Jenner in 2024.
- “Spare” was the UK’s top nonfiction book in 2023, selling 467,000 copies on debut.
- They keep a low profile in Montecito but are spotted at local cafes with the kids.
These snippets show how they’ve blended privacy with influence. Montecito offers seclusion, while their ventures keep them globally relevant.
Security and legal battles: Harry’s UK challenges
Protecting his family drives Harry, who’s clashed with the UK government over security. After stepping back, he lost senior royal protection levels. In 2024, the High Court upheld the Home Office’s “bespoke” measures as legal, denying his bid to fund enhanced security. In June, his team won permission to appeal, keeping the issue alive.
Legal fights with newspapers also defined 2025. In January, he settled with News Group Newspapers, gaining damages and an apology for intrusions affecting even Diana. A 2024 win against Mirror Group Newspapers yielded £140,600, while a case against Associated Newspapers persists. These battles underscore his efforts to safeguard his family and address past wrongs, despite his US base.
