Ten years ago, Prince Harry celebrated his 30th birthday with a grand event at Clarence House, hosted by Prince William. The black-tie dinner, attended by childhood friends, featured a performance by Ellie Goulding. Meanwhile, Charles and Camilla discreetly retreated to their Scottish residence. Today, such a family celebration feels far-fetched as Harry prepares to mark his 40th birthday.
Now living 5,000 miles away in Montecito, California, Harry may reflect on the past decade and wonder, as he did after leaving the UK: “How did we get here?”
The “here” refers to Montecito, the celebrity enclave in Santa Barbara County. The reasons for his current situation, well documented in his memoir Spare, have played out publicly through media outlets, interviews, and legal battles. Following the “Sandringham summit” with the royal family, Harry became increasingly estranged from William, to the point where his brother allegedly did not want him at his own coronation.
As Harry prepares to celebrate with family and friends in Montecito, followed by a weekend in the mountains with close companions, the question of who Harry is at 40 emerges. According to the Sussex website, he is described as a “humanitarian, military veteran, mental health advocate, and environmental campaigner,” and importantly, a “family man,” which he has said was something he always wanted.
Reflecting on his life in the U.S., Harry shared in February: “I love every single day. The kids are doing great,” expressing his gratitude for fatherhood.
Embracing his milestone, he remarked: “I was anxious about 30, but excited about 40.” His goal remains clear: to continue “showing up and doing good in the world.”
Reports suggest that Harry is set to inherit funds from a trust established by his great-grandmother, the Queen Mother. While both William and Harry received £6m upon turning 21, Harry is expected to receive a larger share at 40, in recognition that William will eventually inherit the Duchy of Cornwall and the Duchy of Lancaster.
Harry now resides in a nine-bedroom mansion on a £11m estate in Montecito, where privacy allows him to shield his children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3. Freed from the royal institution he once labeled toxic, Harry now enjoys financial independence.
Royal commentator Peter Hunt suggests that Harry’s happiness is rooted in his family, stating: “Fundamentally, I think he’s happier because he has a family. And that’s pretty crucial.”
Despite his new life, parts of the UK media continue their relentless criticism, seeing him as a prince who abandoned his duties and tarnished the monarchy. The “Sandringham summit” solidified the couple’s exit from royal life, denying them a semi-royal role and setting their course toward Montecito.
This decisive move left many thinking Charles, William, and Queen Elizabeth were justified, leaving Harry to face the consequences of his decisions. However, an alternate view argues that Harry was poorly treated by the institution, which could have found a compromise but failed due to deep-rooted tensions.
By the time of the summit, disagreements between William and Harry had escalated, with allegations about Meghan’s treatment of staff and an altercation where William allegedly pushed Harry. Meanwhile, Meghan’s dispute with Kate over bridesmaids’ dresses added fuel to the fire. Both Harry and Meghan were determined to take on the media, which shocked the royal family and tabloids alike.
Harry remains deeply committed to his legal battles against UK media outlets, seeking justice for what he perceives as media malpractice. As Peter Hunt commented, this pursuit can be seen as both “brave and foolhardy.”
As he turns 40, Harry remains distant from the UK, basking in the Californian sunshine. Despite rumors of a potential return to the UK, with reports suggesting he reached out to former aides and friends, sources indicate that Harry plans to remain in California with his family for the foreseeable future.
