It’s been over four years since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties, yet the headlines keep coming. From legal battles and Netflix projects to lingering questions about their relationships, the couple remains a constant source of public curiosity.

Years since stepping down from royal duties: January 2020 (over 4 years) ·
Known Netflix projects: At least 2 ·
Children: 2 ·
Ongoing legal cases: Multiple ·
Last joint public appearance: February 2024 ·
Reported net worth: Estimated $60 million

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Whether they are living separate lives
  • Exact nature of Meghan’s diagnosed condition
  • King Charles’s private nickname for Meghan
3Timeline signal
  • Harry to visit UK in May 2024 for Invictus anniversary (Women’s Weekly Australia)
  • March 2021 Oprah interview (Women’s Weekly Australia)
  • April 2024 wins phone-hacking case (Women’s Weekly Australia)
4What’s next
  • Harry’s UK visit in May 2024
  • Upcoming Afghan war film for Netflix
  • Meghan’s lifestyle brand launch

Six key facts, one takeaway: the couple’s post-royal life is defined by legal action, media deals, and geographic distance.

Fact Detail
Full names Prince Henry Charles Albert David (Harry), Rachel Meghan Markle
Marriage date 19 May 2018
Stepping down date January 2020
Current residence Montecito, California, USA
Netflix deal value Reportedly $100 million
Number of lawsuits filed by Harry At least 5 (as of mid-2024)

Are Meghan and Harry living separate lives?

Recent public appearances apart

  • Harry and Meghan have not been seen together at a public event since August 2024, according to a report from Women’s Weekly Australia. That absence fueled tabloid speculation that the couple had split – a rumor Harry addressed directly at the New York Times DealBook Summit in December 2024, calling it false.
  • During the summit, Harry discussed media misinformation and the dangers of the digital world (Women’s Weekly Australia).

Reports from palace insiders

  • A royal commentator told GB News that Meghan was unlikely to visit the UK in 2024, adding that she had avoided returning to Britain throughout 2023. Sources close to the couple said they turned down a wedding invitation because it would be “too awkward.”

Their individual work schedules

  • While Harry’s calendar includes Invictus commitments and speaking engagements, Meghan has focused on her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, and produced the now-ended podcast Archetypes. The projects are separate, but the couple’s spokespeople have consistently denied any marital split.

The pattern: Professional divergence does not equal personal separation, but the optics of solo appearances have kept the rumor mill churning.

Bottom line: Harry and Meghan continue to deny separation, but their solo public engagements fuel ongoing speculation.

What is Meghan Markle diagnosed with?

Rumors versus official statements

There has been no official statement from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex regarding any medical diagnosis for Meghan. Tabloid reports have speculated about a stress-related condition, but no confirmed source has disclosed the nature of any health issue.

The alleged health condition

Unnamed sources cited by some outlets claim Meghan was diagnosed with an undisclosed condition reportedly linked to stress. However, without on-the-record confirmation, these claims remain unverified.

How the palace has responded

Kensington Palace has not commented on Meghan’s health, and the couple have not addressed the rumors publicly. The lack of official information makes this a topic where speculation runs far ahead of facts.

The catch: Without a named source or a public statement, any claim about Meghan’s health is essentially rumor.

Bottom line: No confirmed diagnosis exists; all reports remain in the realm of speculation.
Why this matters

When high-profile figures like the Sussexes face unverified health rumors, the media ecosystem amplifies uncertainty at the expense of patient privacy. The absence of a reliable source leaves readers guessing.

What does King Charles call Meghan?

Nicknames reported in biographies

  • According to reports cited by Women’s Weekly Australia, King Charles privately refers to Meghan as “Meghan” rather than using a formal title. Some biographies suggest he uses “darling” in personal conversations.

Public versus private addresses

Publicly, the King has referred to Meghan by her first name. Private nicknames, if any, have not been confirmed by palace officials.

What it reveals about their relationship

The choice of address – whether formal or familiar – is often interpreted as a barometer of warmth. Without official confirmation, these details remain in the realm of royal-watching rather than fact.

The trade-off: Informal nicknames might signal familial ease, but they also invite scrutiny into a relationship that has been anything but simple.

Does Oprah Winfrey still support Meghan Markle?

Their public interactions since the 2021 interview

  • Oprah conducted the landmark interview with Harry and Meghan in March 2021 and has since defended Meghan publicly. In 2023, she was seen with Meghan at a concert and has spoken positively about her in interviews.

Oprah’s recent statements

In a 2023 appearance, Oprah described Meghan as a “lovely person” and dismissed rumors of a falling-out. No credible source has reported a rift.

The state of their friendship

  • Some speculation about a cooling friendship stems from a lack of recent joint appearances, but neither party has indicated any change. The friendship appears intact based on available evidence.

What this means: Oprah’s public support has remained consistent, but the absence of constant visibility does not equal a breach.

What three words did Prince Harry use to describe Kate Middleton?

The reported words from his memoir

  • In his memoir Spare, Harry reportedly described Kate Middleton as “kind, gentle, and warm.” Other sources have claimed he used “princess, mother, sister” in a different context. Both versions frame the description positively.

The reaction from Kensington Palace

There has been no official response from the Prince and Princess of Wales’s office regarding the specific words used. The description appears in a passage where Harry praises Kate’s role in the family.

How it fits into the broader rift

  • The three-word description is often cited in contrast to the broader tension between Harry and William. It suggests Harry still holds personal warmth for his sister-in-law, even as relations between the brothers remain strained.

The implication: A single positive phrase can’t undo years of reported discord, but it hints at a more nuanced family dynamic than headlines suggest.

The rumor trap

Many of the most viral claims about Harry and Meghan – separate lives, health diagnoses, royal nicknames, celebrity alliances – lack on-the-record sources. Readers should treat unconfirmed reports with healthy skepticism.

Timeline: Key events in the Sussexes’ post-royal journey

  • – Harry and Meghan announce step back from royal duties (Women’s Weekly Australia).
  • – Oprah Winfrey interview airs.
  • – Platinum Jubilee visit to UK.
  • – Queen Elizabeth II dies; Harry attends funeral.
  • – Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan released.
  • – Harry’s memoir Spare published.
  • – Harry and Meghan attend Invictus Games Vancouver preview together.
  • – Harry wins phone-hacking case against Mirror Group (Women’s Weekly Australia).

The pattern: After a burst of joint releases in 2021–2022, 2024 has seen more individual activity, with Harry’s legal wins and UK visits contrasting Meghan’s California-based brand launch.

Bottom line: Harry’s legal victories and solo travel mark a shift from the couple’s earlier joint media projects.

What we know, what we don’t

Confirmed facts

  • Harry and Meghan moved to California in 2020 (Women’s Weekly Australia)
  • They signed a multi-year deal with Netflix (Women’s Weekly Australia)
  • Harry has filed multiple legal cases against UK tabloids (Women’s Weekly Australia)
  • Meghan launched American Riviera Orchard (Women’s Weekly Australia)

What’s unclear

  • Whether they are living separate lives
  • Exact nature of Meghan’s diagnosed condition
  • King Charles’s private nickname for Meghan
  • Current state of Oprah Winfrey’s support

What the sources say

“Harry said claims about a private meeting with King Charles at Clarence House were ‘categorically false’ and a spokesperson described quotes attributed to him about that reunion as ‘pure invention.’”

– Women’s Weekly Australia, citing a Sussex spokesperson (source)

“At the DealBook Summit, Harry discussed media misinformation and the dangers of the digital world, and addressed a rumor that he and Meghan had split up directly.”

– Women’s Weekly Australia, reporting on Harry’s statements (source)

“A royal commentator told GB News that Meghan Markle was unlikely to visit the UK in 2024, adding that she had avoided returning to Britain throughout 2023.”

– GB News (royal commentator) (source)

For the Palace communications team, managing the steady stream of contradictory reports – from alleged nicknames to health rumors – has become a full-time challenge, with no clear end in sight. The only certainty is that interest in the Sussexes’ story remains as intense as ever.

Frequently asked questions

Does Amal Clooney like Meghan Markle?

There is no public evidence of a rift. Amal Clooney and Meghan have been seen together at events and have mutual friends. Neither has commented negatively on the other.

Have Harry and Meghan returned to the UK permanently?

No. They reside in Montecito, California. Harry has visited the UK for events and legal hearings, but there are no plans to move back permanently.

What is the status of Harry and Meghan’s Spotify deal?

Their exclusive podcast deal with Spotify ended in 2023. Meghan produced one series, Archetypes, and the couple decided not to renew the partnership.

Are Harry and Meghan still doing royal duties?

No. They stepped down as senior working royals in January 2020 and have not resumed official duties. They retain honorary military appointments but do not carry out public engagements on behalf of the Crown.

What charity work are Harry and Meghan doing?

Through the Archewell Foundation, they focus on mental health, digital safety, and community support. They also support the Invictus Games (Harry) and various women’s initiatives (Meghan).

How are Harry and Meghan perceived in the US?

Polls show mixed but generally favorable opinions, with higher approval among younger and more liberal demographics. They maintain a strong celebrity presence in Los Angeles.

What is the latest on Harry and Meghan’s children?

Archie (born May 2019) and Lilibet (born June 2021) live with their parents in California. The couple occasionally shares updates, such as a statement in August 2024 about online safety for children.