Prince Harry 'isolated' after his 'perfect scenario' crumbled away as Duke at a crossroads

Harry wanted to remain as a part-time working royal but the option was quickly closed off by the late Queen and senior members of the monarchy.

The Sussexes are currently undertaking a four-day visit to Colombia, their second international tour of 2024 after travelling to Nigeria in May.

However, a source who has known Harry since his teenage years told The Times that Harry and Meghan are finding alternative ways to tap into the royal lifestyle despite having no official role in the Firm.

They said: "He made his decision [to leave] for his family — that was the right choice and he has no regrets.

"One of the primary reasons for them leaving the UK was the institutional and media issues they felt they faced, so for that they must feel vindicated.

"But did he get what he wanted? No. The perfect scenario was to get what they originally asked for — ‘We’d like to move and still be semi-royals.’ So they’re finding another way of doing it."

The source added: "I know how important it is for him to have a happy, settled family life, but you need to do more than that if you’re him."

"He has ended up isolated from his family and most of his old mates, in an environment where your friendships are not like the ones you forged as a young man.

"He used to love a night out in the pub and hanging out in the country with friends. Maybe he has grown into a different person, but do I think he’d really suit the Californian lifestyle? No. Now we’ve seen it all play out, what has that left him with? On the surface, an enviable lifestyle — but for the Harry I know, I can’t imagine that gilded exile in California is where he wanted to end up."

Two former royal advisors told the publication that the Duke of Sussex will want more for himself than his current lifestyle in the US.

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One said regarding Harry: "He loved the army and was very good at his job. The work with Invictus is great and fatherhood was the role he most wanted, so perhaps those are enough for him.

"But everything else is a bit woolly. I always thought he wanted more from life. I can’t help but think he must be wondering, ‘Where do I go from here?’"

Another added: "All he does is spend time looking back. If only he could wrench his neck around and look forwards."

Prince Harry will celebrate his 40th birthday next month on September 15th but it is unlikely he will see his brother Prince William or his father King Charles to mark the milestone as the relationship between the Sussexes and senior royals remains strained.