Prince Harry’s 40th: ‘Completely isolated’ and ‘No sign of an official role in Royal family’ — What’s next for the Duke?

Once one of the most beloved members of the British royal family, Prince Harry’s 40th birthday arrives this weekend amid deepening rifts with both the UK public and his own family. Living in Montecito, California with his wife Meghan Markle and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, Harry seems increasingly distanced—both geographically and emotionally—from his royal roots.
"He is completely isolated," said Pauline Maclaran of Royal Holloway University, reported AFP. “I don't see him coming back even with a minor role... there's no sign of an official role for him.” The UK public, it appears, isn’t eager for his return either. “They don’t trust him,” added royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams.
From family feud to media frenzy
The tension between Harry and the royal family has only grown since his and Meghan’s decision to step back from royal duties in early 2020. The bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview, where Meghan claimed there were discussions about their son’s skin color before his birth, left a lasting mark on the public’s perception of the royals. Harry’s older brother, Prince William, refuted these claims, famously stating, “We are very much not a racist family.”
Even Queen Elizabeth II, in her own tactful way, questioned the accusations: “Recollections may vary,” she said, adding she would look into the matter.
However, it was Harry’s explosive memoir Spare that perhaps solidified the break with the monarchy. In the tell-all, which hits paperback in October, Harry didn’t hold back, labeling his older brother William as both his “beloved brother” and his “arch-nemesis.” It was a book that many royal experts saw as an all-out attack on the centuries-old institution.
“His differences from other members of the royal family probably would have been settled by now if any agreement had ever been possible,” said Mark Garnett of the University of Lancaster, hinting that a reconciliation may be out of reach. “The idea of a divided royal family only increases unwelcome media attention,” he noted.
Locked horns with William
Once bound by the tragic death of their mother, Princess Diana, the relationship between William and Harry is now a shadow of what it once was. Their public appearances together have been awkward at best. At their father’s coronation last year and Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, the brothers barely interacted.
"They are like stags who have locked horns,” said royal author Robert Jobson, adding that he doesn’t foresee a reconciliation any time soon. The two reportedly don’t even speak anymore, fueling rumors of irreparable damage.
No going back?
Despite Harry expressing hope that his father’s cancer diagnosis might bring the family back together, evidence suggests otherwise. When Harry visited London in May, he and his father, King Charles III, attended separate events without crossing paths. Harry even declined to stay at Buckingham Palace, opting for a London hotel instead. "He is naive about the damage he has caused," said Maclaran.
Popularity struggles
As Harry and Meghan enjoy more support in the US, their reputation in the UK continues to plunge. In royal popularity polls, they now sit near the bottom—next to Harry’s disgraced uncle, Prince Andrew. Meanwhile, William and his wife, Catherine, who is recovering from cancer, remain steadfastly popular in Britain.
But Harry hasn’t been idle. The Duke of Sussex has stayed busy with his charity work, including his Invictus Games for wounded veterans. Alongside Meghan, he recently completed a mini-tour promoting mental health and equality in Colombia and Nigeria.
Yet, royal commentator Maclaran believes the couple’s continued visibility is largely about maintaining their public profile. “It’s the titles that make them different from other celebrities,” she said, pointing out that while Harry may be separated from the royal family, he and Meghan are still leveraging their royal status to stay in the spotlight.
As Harry celebrates his milestone 40th birthday, the question remains: is there any path back for him, or is the rift with his family—and the British public—too deep to repair?