Prince Harry has finally addressed the rumors surrounding his relationship with Meghan Markle and the speculations of a divorce.
In recent months, rumors of a rift between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have intensified, sparked by their separate public appearances and a noticeable shift in their career trajectories.
Speculation has ranged from claims of a hidden divorce to suggestions that their relationship is facing challenges due to differing priorities.
The Duke of Sussex has now addressed the ongoing rumors during his appearance at the 2024 New York Times DealBook Summit.
The rumors of trouble began to gain traction earlier this year, following Harry’s solo international engagements and Meghan’s noticeable absence from several high-profile events.
Reports suggested that Harry’s trips to New York, London, and Southern Africa marked a personal and professional shift, with some speculating that he might have needed “space.”
Headlines even fueled the speculation, suggesting the couple were living “separate lives,” with terms like “professional separation” intensifying the rumors.
Meghan’s decision to sign with the Hollywood talent agency WME in 2023 further fueled the rumors.
The move was viewed as a step toward asserting her individuality and focusing on building her personal brand, distinct from the couple’s shared projects.
Meanwhile, their Spotify deal fell through in June 2023, adding another layer of scrutiny to their public image.
Speculation briefly subsided when the couple appeared together at the Invictus Games in September 2023. Their visible chemistry and shared moments of joy, including dancing and public displays of affection, reassured some fans.
However, as they pursued separate ventures once more in late 2024, the rumors resurfaced.
Meghan’s attendance at an awards ceremony in California this week, while Harry spoke at the DealBook Summit in New York, further fueled the narrative of a widening divide between the couple.
Adding to the media frenzy was the release of a German documentary, Harry: The Lost Prince, which criticized the couple’s high-profile visits to impoverished regions, highlighting the contrast with Meghan’s designer wardrobe.
Critics argued that the image clashed with the humanitarian values the couple promotes, drawing renewed attention to their public appearances, as reported by the Mirror.
During his appearance at the summit, Prince Harry was directly confronted about the speculation surrounding his marriage.
Newsweek reports that journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin questioned the media’s focus on their separate engagements, asking why the couple wasn’t appearing together.
Harry’s response was both witty and revealing, addressing the rumors with a mix of humor and insight into their relationship dynamics.
“Because you invited me,” he joked, prompting laughter from the audience, before tackling the rumors directly.
The Duke dismissed the persistent divorce claims with humor, brushing off the speculation with lightheartedness.
“Apparently, we’ve bought or moved house maybe 10 or 12 times, and we’ve apparently divorced maybe 10 or 12 times as well. So, it’s just like, ‘what?’ It’s hard to keep up,” he quipped, highlighting the absurdity of the rumors.
However, Harry also took a more serious tone, reflecting on the personal impact of such speculation.
“I’ve had a lived experience since I was a kid. I’ve seen stories written about myself that aren’t exactly based on reality,” he shared.
“When you grow up within that environment, you find yourself questioning the validity of the information but also how dangerous it can be over time,” Harry said.
He also expressed empathy for those perpetuating these narratives.
“The people I feel most sorry about are the trolls. Their hopes are just built and built, and then it doesn’t happen. So, I feel sorry for them. Genuinely, I do,” Harry remarked.
While his comments provided a clear rebuttal to the divorce rumors, they also highlighted the difficulties of navigating life under constant public scrutiny.
Despite their separate projects, Harry’s words suggest that he and Meghan remain united in their commitment to their family and causes, standing resilient against the relentless rumor mill.
