What happened to Harry and Meghan's American dream?
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are reportedly moving back to the UK after a period of living in California. While their initial move was framed as a pursuit of privacy and independence, their professional ventures in Hollywood have seen mixed results.
Why it matters
The couple's return highlights the challenges of balancing high-profile public status with the demands of the American entertainment industry.
Figure caption, Watch: How Harry and Meghan are ending their 'American dream'
When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex quit working for the Royal Family in 2020 and moved to California, they brought something even Hollywood can't manufacture: royalty.
But while Harry and Meghan enjoyed some success in showbusiness, their Hollywood reign proved short-lived and California has greeted news of their departure back to the UK with a shrug.
In pursuing their American dream, they said they were seeking more than financial independence.
In their 2021 blockbuster interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan described the freedom to make her own choices as "liberating".
Harry later said America offered his family a degree of privacy and freedom they "undoubtedly wouldn't be able" to enjoy in the UK - and that it was the life his mother, Diana, would have wanted for him.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in