Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been the subject of seemingly baseless divorce rumours since shortly after they left the UK – in a move dubbed ‘Megxit’ – in early 2020. And now, finally, Prince Harry has addressed them.
Speculation seems to have ramped up in recent months after it was reported that Harry, 40, is warming up to the idea of returning to a life in the UK, but Meghan, 43, is less keen.
The last time they visited the UK together was in September 2022 to attend the funeral of Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Royal author Omid Scobie claimed in November 2024 that Meghan ‘never wants to step foot in England again’ and ‘never wants to be involved in the British monarchy again’.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry said in February, ‘My family and my life in California is as it is. I have got other trips planned. That would take me through the UK or back to the UK, so you know, I'll stop in and see my family as much as I can.’
When did Prince Harry and Meghan Markle divorce rumours start?
Rumours of a split between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been rife after it was noted they have not been seen together in public since 18 August – over 100 days ago.
However, they did send a joint video message to a United Nations conference in Colombia on 8 November.
Since their last joint appearance, Harry has attended several solo events in Toronto, Canada, to promote his Invictus Games, which will be held in the city in February 2025.
This autumn, Harry went on a two-week solo trip, visiting New York, London and South Africa and Lesotho.
While he was away, Meghan made a surprise appearance on a red carpet in Beverly Hills.
And as Prince Harry batted off divorce rumours at the New York Times’ 2024 DealBook Summit on 4 December, Meghan hit the red carpet once again – this time at the Paley Honors gala at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in California.
How have Prince Harry and Meghan Markle responded to divorce rumours?
Prince Harry was asked to elaborate on his personal life when he made a solo appearance at the New York Times’ 2024 DealBook Summit on 4 December.
When talk host Andrew Ross Sorkin joked that he was only in New York alone because Meghan hadn’t been invited to the summit, he laughed, ‘Apparently we’ve bought or moved house 10, 12 times. We’ve apparently divorced maybe 10, 12 times as well. So it’s just like, what?’
The Duke of Sussex continued, ‘It’s hard to keep up with, but that’s why you just sort of ignore it. The people I feel most sorry about are the trolls.
‘Their hopes are just built and built, and it’s like, “Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes,” and then it doesn’t happen. So I feel sorry for them. Genuinely, I do.’
When did Prince Harry and Meghan Markle get married?
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married on 19 May 2018, meaning they have been married for six years.
Since their wedding, which took place at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, they have welcomed two children.
Their son, Prince Archie of Sussex – whose full name is Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor – was born on 6 May 2019, making him five years old.
Harry and Meghan then welcomed their daughter, Princess Lilibet of Sussex – whose full name is Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor – on 4 June 2021, making her three years old.