Harry and Meghan

The couple has put their royal life firmly in the past as they embark on their new journey in Canada

NEWS

Less than two months have passed since Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan announced their plans to step back from their royal engagements and embark on a new life in Canada with their nine-month-old son Archie. And on the surface, all seems well.

But insiders have revealed Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, have become even more estranged from his family – including his older brother Prince William and grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.

‘Harry’s barely spoken to them,’ one source says. ‘He’s been dodging their calls. Some people close to Meghan and Harry are saying they’re living in their own bubble and don’t want any reminders of the past.’ According to sources, Meghan and Harry are beyond relieved to be free of the constraints of royal life. ‘They’re finally living their lives on their own terms, and that’s given them a whole new purpose and a wonderful sense of liberation and peace,’ says the insider. They’ve been settling into a private seaside compound in the Saanich Inlet area of Vancouver Island with Archie and their dogs while they househunt for permanent digs. ‘Harry and Meghan escaped the chaos back home and are genuinely happy,’ says the source. ‘They’re really enjoying Canada; it’s a completely different world from what they’re used to in London.’ They can go on hikes or pop into the grocery store in town without being harassed. ‘The locals don’t bother them, and they have the freedom to do whatever they want.’ The insider adds that ‘Meghan endured a lot of stress in England’, particularly at the

CUTTING ALL ROYAL TIES HARRY & MEGHAN

The Sussexes reject palace invites – and ignore calls from Prince William

NEWS

RUFFLING ROYAL FEATHERS FROM AFAR

FIRING ROYAL STAFF The couple admitted the decision to lay off 15 staffers at their now-defunct Buckingham Palace office had ‘understandably been saddening’, and insiders say it didn’t go over well. ‘It wasn’t easy,’ tells the insider, ‘but they had no choice.’

GETTING SOCIAL The insider says Meghan’s Instagram videos from her Vogue UK stint left royal watchers cringing. ‘It shows she thrives on attention,’ says a source of the Duchess, who shared several behind-the-scenes videos with editor Edward Enninful.

REJECTING ROYAL INVITES An insider says Elton John is hosting a fundraiser the day of Princess Beatrice’s wedding on May 29, putting Harry and Meghan’s attendance at the nuptials in question. The pair also reportedly declined to attend Prince Andrew’s recent 60th birthday celebrations.

hands of the media. ‘She’s happy to be away from all of that.’

But they clearly have no plans to retreat into total obscurity. As feared by Harry’s family, the couple will be using Meghan’s Hollywood connections to stay in the mix. ‘They’re in touch with a number of LA power players and are looking forward to hosting dinner parties with the likes of George and Amal Clooney and big-time movie producer Jeffrey Katzenberg,’ says the insider. They’ve reportedly already begun thinking about searching for a second home in California – in Malibu or Hidden Hills – and the source says Harry’s even looking for an agent. ‘He doesn’t want to become an actor, but he’d love to make documentaries and things like that.’ One thing is for sure – they have no plans to return to the United Kingdom. ‘Right now they’re all about getting Archie settled and adapting to life in North America,’ says the insider. While the Queen obviously hopes the couple

HOBNOBBING WITH BILLIONAIRES The duo hit up an ultra-private JP Morgan summit in Miami on February 6. They reportedly made a whopping $1.5 million for appearing at the event – Harry also gave a small speech – which boasted billionaire guests like Bill Gates.

might have a change of heart – putting a ‘12-month review period’ in place to see how their new agreement plays out over the next year – Harry and Meghan are standingfirm.

AS FAR AS A RETURN TO THE ROYAL FAMILY, THEY’RE NOT GOING BACK

It’sbeenreportedtheQueen,93,has asked Harry and Meghan to attend the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9, but there’s no word yet on whether they’ll go. ‘Sure, they’ll visit London for social events and charity initiatives from time to time,’ says the insider, ‘but as far as a return to the royal family, they’re not going back.’ Their recent firing of 15 staffers at Buckingham Palace proves just how determined they are to start over in the States. The decision to shut down their UK office was a shock and rubbed some people the wrong way.

‘Good people have lost their jobs,’ explains the insider. ‘There’s a real sense of outrage. If Harry and Meghan hadn’t turned their backs on the royal household, this wouldn’t have happened.’ Harry does wish some things had gone differently. ‘There’s a sense of sadness that everything played out in such dramatic fashion,’ says the insider. ‘It was never his intention to hurt his family – whom he loves – or the British people.’

But after Her Majesty recently forced the couple to drop plans to use the brand ‘SussexRoyal’, Harry and Meghan are said to have once again been enraged. Posts on their website suggest the couple are angry at the way the decision was reached and how they’ve been treated compared with other royals.

STAR CONNECTIONS Harry’s using his Hollywood connections already, enlisting the help of Jon Bon Jovi – along with members of the Invictus Games Choir – to record a special single called Unbroken . Proceeds from the song will go towards the Invictus Games Foundation.

‘The couple prefer Malibu as it’s further away from paparazzi,’ a source shares

DOUBLE DATING WITH A-LISTERS Meghan and Harry dined with celeb friends Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez at hotspot Habitat n South Beach after heir appearance at he Miami summit. They’re embracing he industry,’ says an insider. D D A M d f a a i t t ‘T t a

MOVING TO MALIBU? Meghan and Harry are said to be looking at properties in LA to call home. ‘One of their favourites is a seven-bedroom, $22.7 million mansion in Malibu,’ reveals an insider, who adds it briefly housed Kylie Jenner in 2018. The European-style pad is the site of the infamous Jordyn Woods and Tristan Thompson kissing scandal

Their recent statement suggested a blanket ban on the use of the word ‘royal’ was unenforceable. It read, ‘There is not any jurisdiction by The Monarchy or Cabinet Office over the use of the word “royal” overseas.’

Harry’s relationship with Prince William, 37, remains strained, too. ‘They’ve agreed to give each other space and generally only communicate with the occasional text or WhatsApp message,’ the insider reveals. The dad-of-three always makes the first move. ‘But when he calls, Harry often ignores it,’ reveals the source.

Ultimately, Harry had to do what he felt was right for his wife and son. ‘He gets pangs of guilt here and there,’ shares the insider, ‘but he reminds himself that to be a worthy husband and father he has to put Meghan and Archie first.’

‘Seeing how happy the move has made Meghan makes Harry feel very proud. All in all,’ the insider adds, ‘neither he nor Meghan have any regrets whatsoever.’ The mansion has its own wine cellar!