Is Prince Harry Pushing for a Return to Royal Life?

Mar. 15, 2025

Prince Harry in London in June 2023.Photo:ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images

ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images

Prince Harryturns 40 on Sept. 15, but he’s not planning to use the milestone as a moment to change direction in his life.

Instead, the Duke of Sussex is happy with his life in California, focused on raising his young family with Meghan and continuing his work there, with an upcomingvisit in New York Citylater this month, PEOPLE understands.

What is clear, as one ally noted, is that Harry is eager to visit friends in the U.K. and work directly, rather than through Zoom, with the charities he remains connected to in his homeland, includingWellChild.

He also wants to bring his family — Meghan, 43, and their children,Prince Archie, 5, andPrincess Lilibet, 3 — back to the U.K. for visits. However, he feels that his lack of automatic access to official security, which was lost after he and Meghan stepped back from royal duties, is a significant obstacle.

Prince Harry with his brother Prince William (left) soon after their grandmother Queen Elizabeth died in Sept. 2022.Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Harry is preparing to appeal a court ruling that upheld the decision to deny him security. Insiders recently told PEOPLE that Harry is focused onreinstating his securityto enable more flexible visits to the U.K. for himself, Meghan, and their children. This issue also plays a crucial role in his ongoing estrangement from his father,King Charles, 75.

“Harry is frightened and feels the only person who can do anything about it is his father,” a royal insider told PEOPLE last month. Another source close to the situation said, “Harry is determined to protect his own family at all costs.” (Buckingham Palace will not comment on security provisions, but a palace source has told PEOPLE the notion that Harry’s security is in the King’s hands is “wholly incorrect.")

“Hopefully, he can find it increasingly easy in the future,” a family friend says.

“Most people were astounded that Harry came,” one of the reported 300 attendees told PEOPLE. “He was on remarkably good form — and you could tell he was very pleased to see everybody. And he was very pleased that he had come over.”

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during their tour of Colombia in Aug. 2024.RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP via Getty

RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP via Getty

After the service, the princestayed with Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, at the Spencer family’s ancestral home, Althorp. This allowed him to be near his mother’s resting place as the 27th anniversary of her death approached on August 31.

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Prince Harry, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Prince William, and Lady Jane Fellowes at teh unveiling of a statue to the late Princess Diana in 2021.DOMINIC LIPINSKI/POOL/AFP/Getty

DOMINIC LIPINSKI/POOL/AFP/Getty

A spokesperson announced he will attend events during UN General Assembly High-level Week and Climate Week. Climate Weekkicks offon Sept. 22 and runs until Sept. 29, while High-level Weekrunsfrom Sept. 23 to Sept. 27. During that visit, he will “advance a number of his patronages and philanthropic initiatives,” the spokesperson said. “He will participate in engagements with African Parks, The HALO Trust, The Diana Award and Travalyst.”

Harry will also “be furthering the work of The Archewell Foundation, the nonprofit organization he co-founded with his wife Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex,” the spokesperson added.

source: people.com