Prince Harry has addressed recent speculation about the state of his marriage to Meghan Markle after the couple has not been seen together publicly since mid-August.
Speaking at the New York Times 2024 DealBook Summit on Wednesday, Harry responded to the rumors during a conversation with NYT columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin.
Sorkin broached the topic by referencing the public’s intense fascination with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. “I Googled you, and people are fascinated by everything you’re doing all the time,” he remarked. “They’re fascinated by Meghan, who is in California right now, and you’re here. There are articles everywhere asking, ‘Why are you doing independent events? Why aren’t you doing them together?’”
Harry quipped in response, “Because you invited me, you should have known!”
When asked whether the constant public interest is ever beneficial, Harry responded firmly, “No, that’s definitely not a good thing.” Addressing the ongoing rumors, he added, “Apparently, we’ve bought or moved house 10, 12 times. We’ve apparently divorced maybe 10, 12 times as well. It’s just like, what?”
The prince, who discussed media misinformation and its societal impact during the summit, shared his strategy for handling persistent rumors: ignoring them. “It’s hard to keep up with, but that’s why you just sort of ignore it. The people I feel most sorry for are the trolls. Their hopes are built and built, and then nothing happens. I genuinely feel sorry for them.”
He humorously noted that his comments at the summit would likely be misrepresented, jokingly apologizing to Sorkin in advance.
Harry emphasized that ignoring the noise allows him to focus on his most important priorities: “My main goal is being the best husband and dad I can be.”
Reflecting on his experiences with media scrutiny, particularly after his mother Princess Diana’s tragic death in 1997, Harry spoke candidly about the damage caused by misinformation. “Since I was a kid, I’ve seen stories written about myself that aren’t based in reality. I’ve seen similar stories about my family, friends, and strangers. Over time, you realize how dangerous that can be.”
While Harry, 40, attended the summit in New York, Meghan, his wife of six years, was on the West Coast attending the 2024 Paley Honors Fall Gala in Beverly Hills. Meanwhile, their two children—Archie, five, and Lilibet, three—remained at their Montecito home.
Speaking about raising his children in California, Harry shared that it was the right decision for their family. “I very much enjoy living here and bringing up my kids here. They have freedoms they undoubtedly wouldn’t have in the U.K.”
