Following their departure from senior royal duties, Prince Harry is reported to have favored establishing a life in nations like South Africa or New Zealand, envisioning a balance between public service and personal privacy. However, the couple ultimately settled in the United States, a move some observers suggest represented a significant personal pivot for the Duke.
According to accounts, the initial vision involved splitting time between the United Kingdom and another Commonwealth country. This arrangement was seen as a way to continue supporting the monarchy’s work while creating distance from intense media scrutiny. Specific locations under consideration reportedly included New Zealand and South Africa, with the latter’s Cape Town region highlighted for its potential alignment with the Prince’s charitable and conservation interests.
These plans were detailed in a later memoir, which described a desire for a life “beyond the reach of the press” and free from what was characterized as a frenzied news cycle. The concept was reportedly discussed with senior family members, with initial indications that it might receive approval.
Nevertheless, the trajectory shifted toward a permanent relocation to California. Sources indicate this decision was driven by professional and entrepreneurial ambitions, with the United States viewed as the optimal environment for pursuing ventures in media and business. This shift is characterized by some as a moment where earlier, more privately-focused plans were set aside in favor of a new, high-profile chapter.
The transition was not without its complications. Communications regarding the original proposal were reportedly leaked to the press, an event that sources say fostered a sense of betrayal and convinced the Duke that a workable arrangement within the existing structure was no longer feasible. This leak is cited as a pivotal moment that solidified the path toward a complete break and the move overseas.
While nations in Africa, including Botswana—a place of personal significance to the Prince—were also considered, the practical demands of building a new commercial and media enterprise ultimately centered the couple’s activities in America. The contrast is framed as one between seeking a private refuge and establishing a platform for global projects, with the latter prevailing.
The couple now resides in Montecito, California, a considerable distance from the Commonwealth destinations once championed. The journey reflects the complex interplay between personal desire for sanctuary and the pursuit of new professional ambitions on a world stage.
