Harry and Meghan’s American dream runs out of steam

Key Points:

• The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, returned to the U.K. from California with their two children, ending their six-year stay in the U.S. and signaling a move toward a more private life away from the celebrity spotlight.
• Their return follows a gradual reconciliation process with the royal family, including renewed contact with King Charles III and a July 2025 family reunion with Charles and Queen Camilla, although Harry remains estranged from his brother, Prince William.
• The couple initially moved to the U.S. in 2020 after stepping back as senior royals, aiming for financial independence and a new role outside royal duties, but their public airing of grievances and high-profile media projects strained family relations and faced mixed commercial success.
• While their initial media ventures, including a Netflix docuseries and Harry’s memoir, drew significant attention and record-breaking viewership, subsequent projects on Netflix and Spotify underperformed, leading to reduced deals and waning public interest.
• Meghan’s lifestyle brand and documentary efforts also struggled commercially, illustrating the challenges the couple faced in Hollywood, which ultimately contributed to their decision to relocate back to the U.K. for renewed opportunities and family reconciliation.