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Privacy Notice Prince Harry is back in the spotlight after a string of solo appearances in recent weeks. The Duke Of Sussex returned to the UK for a fleeting trip and then went on to South Africa while his wife Meghan remained at home in California with their children. It’s rare we see the Duke without his wife at public events, but some experts and sources claim he appears more confident when solo and without the attention being on Meghan. With his big smiles and charming nature, one expert says that we could even be seeing signs the old Harry is back – perhaps for the first time since his dramatic exit from the royal family four years ago. “Ever since moving to America, it’s taken Harry a long time to feel comfortable and confident enough to go out on his own and he is really enjoying this new way of life,” a source told us. “Before he always used Meghan as a bit of a security blanket as he felt quite lost in his new role, which was completely different to his old royal life and what he had been used to. He was always happy to let Meghan take the limelight as she thrived in big public events and he would take her lead.”
Harry attended the WellChild Awards event in London
(Image: Getty Images)
The source thinks, “He did feel overshadowed at times but he was happy for that while he adjusted to a whole new way of life.” Royal expert Duncan Larcombe echoed this sentiment and said Harry normally takes a ‘back seat’ when he’s out with Meghan. “We know that Harry is very defensive of Meghan and we’ve seen him on some jobs where he hasn’t looked his normal self when he’s with her,” he told us. Harry’s trip to South Africa comes ahead of his brother, Prince William’s, scheduled visit. William’s 2024 Earthshot Prize awards ceremony will be in Cape Town on November 6, meaning the estranged brothers could visit South Africa just five weeks apart.
The Duke also made a trip to South Africa
(Image: Getty Images for Sentebale)
But for Harry, the trip was prefaced by a visit to London by himself for the WellChild Awards – and Duncan says this was another example of Harry excelling on his own. “We saw him being brilliant with children and being really charming”. The London visit, which was fleeting, comes after Harry made it clear earlier this year that Meghan and their children; Archie, five, and three year old Lilibet, would not travel to Britain as he fears for their safety. Following their exit from the royal family and move to the US, Harry and Meghan lost their royal protection service. And he told ITV earlier this year that this has him worried. “It’s still dangerous, and all it takes is one lone actor… whether it’s a knife or acid, whatever it is, and these are things that are of genuine concern for me. It’s one of the reasons why I won’t bring my wife back to this country.” Whatever the reason for Harry not bringing Meghan along to his recent trips, this could be a glimpse of his new working image, or as Duncan puts it, the royal going back to his past. “We’ve seen a glimpse at the old Prince Harry,” he said. “When Harry was doing solo jobs before he met Meghan he was by far the best at it. William is good but Harry had that X Factor that I don’t think many people have had over the years. We don’t see even glimpses of that when he’s with Meghan working.”
He and Meghan have been working on solo projects as well as joint ventures
(Image: Archewell Foundation via Getty I)
Harry will no doubt be pleased with the praise lauded on him in recent weeks for his dazzling solo appearances, with many noting how happy he has looked throughout the engagements. Our source said, “It was tough at first going away without Meghan but he’s really coming into his own and he wants to do more solo events and travelling. He feels a lot more relaxed and like his old self and it’s showing to everyone around him.” Harry and Meghan haven’t completely parted ways professionally, but they do appear to be focusing on their respective interests, with the pair both working on new Netflix shows. One will see Meghan at the helm and celebrate the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining and friendship. While the other looks into the world of professional polo, a passion of Harry’s. But despite the consensus that Harry works better as a lone soldier and their differing focuses, Duncan assures that there is space for Meghan too, when the time is right. “Ultimately, they do operate as a power couple and have done things together successfully.” The source concludes that this is a healthy change for the Sussexes, who have been married for six years. “Everyone always says Harry has Diana’s charm and that she would be so proud of him and the work he’s been doing lately,” they said. “He realises now he doesn’t need Meghan like he used to and that it’s healthy for them to not do everything together.”Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnMeghan MarklePrince HarryPrince WilliamNetflix
