History of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex in Timeline
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is a prominent member of the British royal family. As the younger son of King Charles III and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, he holds the fifth position in the line of succession to the British throne. He served in the British Army, undertaking two tours of Afghanistan. In recent years, he and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped down as senior members of the royal family, relocating to the United States. They have since established the Archewell Foundation, focusing on charitable endeavors and media production. Harry has been vocal about mental health awareness and veterans' affairs, becoming a notable public figure beyond his royal lineage.
3 hours ago : Prince Harry Faces Defamation Lawsuit from Sentebale, Charity He Co-Founded: Details Emerge.
Prince Harry is being sued for libel by Sentebale, a charity he co-founded, over claims made in his memoir. The Duke of Sussex faces defamation allegations, raising questions about his reputation and the charity's future.
September 1984: Prince Harry's Birth at St Mary's Hospital
In September 1984, Prince Harry was born at 4:20 pm at St Mary's Hospital, London, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, as the second child of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Diana, Princess of Wales.
1991: Family Trip to Canada
1994: Claims against Rupert Murdoch and expansion of case's scope
In May 2024, Mr Justice Fancourt refused Harry permission to include claims against Rupert Murdoch, expand his case's scope back to 1994 and 1995 to cover allegations involving his mother, or add new allegations from 2016 involving his then-girlfriend Meghan. The case aimed to expand claims back to 1994 and 1995
1995: Claims against Rupert Murdoch and expansion of case's scope
In May 2024, Mr Justice Fancourt refused Harry permission to include claims against Rupert Murdoch, expand his case's scope back to 1994 and 1995 to cover allegations involving his mother, or add new allegations from 2016 involving his then-girlfriend Meghan. The case aimed to expand claims back to 1994 and 1995.
1996: Parents' Divorce
In 1996, Prince Harry's parents, Charles and Diana, divorced.
1998: Family Trip to Canada
2001: Harry's claims relate to articles published between 2001 and 2013
In January 2026, the trial between Prince Harry, other claimants, and ANL began, with proceedings expected to last nine weeks. Prince Harry's claims relate to 14 articles published between 2001 and 2013, which his lawyer argued could not have been lawfully sourced.
2002: Report of Trust Fund Disbursement
In 2002, it was reported that Prince Harry would share a disbursement from trust funds established by his great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, with his brother, and that Harry would inherit the larger share.
June 2003: Completion of Education at Eton
In June 2003, Prince Harry completed his education at Eton with two A-Levels. He achieved a grade B in art and a D in geography. He also joined the Combined Cadet Force while at Eton.
2003: Given the nickname Mohale
In 2003, while on his gap year in Lesotho, Harry was given the nickname Mohale, which translates to 'the warrior' and was the name of Moshoeshoe I's younger brother.
September 2004: Passing the Regular Commissions Board
In September 2004, Prince Harry passed the Regular Commissions Board (RCB).
2004: First Tour of Mants'ase Children's Home
In 2004, Prince Harry first toured the Mants'ase Children's Home near Mohale's Hoek in Lesotho, which later influenced his charitable work.
January 2005: Controversial comment about Chelsy Davy
In January 2005, Prince Harry made a controversial comment about his Zimbabwean girlfriend Chelsy Davy, stating "She's not black or anything, you know."
May 2005: Entry into Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
On 8 May 2005, Prince Harry entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
2005: Nazi Uniform Controversy
In early 2005, Prince Harry was photographed wearing a Nazi German Afrika Korps uniform with a swastika armband at a "Colonial and Native"-themed birthday party, sparking widespread backlash. Clarence House issued a public apology, and Harry later stated that it was a stupid thing to do and that he had learned his lesson.
April 2006: Commissioning as Cornet
In April 2006, Prince Harry completed his officer training and was commissioned as a Cornet in the Blues and Royals.
April 2006: Announcement of Potential Iraq Deployment
In April 2006, it was announced that Prince Harry's unit was scheduled to be deployed to Iraq the following year, sparking public debate over his service there and the Ministry of Defence stated that Harry would be shielded from the front line if his unit went to war.
October 2006: Completion of Troop Leaders' Course
In October 2006, Prince Harry completed the Troop Leaders' Course and rejoined his regiment in Windsor.
2006: Start of Engagement Count
Between 2006 and 2019, Prince Harry completed 1,190 engagements.
2006: Visit to Mants'ase Children's Home and Launch of Sentebale
In 2006, Prince Harry visited Mants'ase Children's Home in Lesotho, which he had previously toured in 2004, and together with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, launched Sentebale: The Princes' Fund for Lesotho to help children orphaned by HIV/AIDS.
October 2007: Video surfaces from trip to Namibia
In October 2007, a video from Prince Harry's trip to Namibia surfaced, showing him snorting vodka and licking a male friend's nipples.
2007: Deployment to Helmand Province
During 2007, Prince Harry was deployed for ten weeks in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, marking his first active service.
February 2008: Deployment to Afghanistan Revealed
In February 2008, the Ministry of Defence revealed that Prince Harry had been secretly deployed as a joint terminal attack controller to Helmand Province in Afghanistan for the previous ten weeks but was immediately withdrawn due to publicity concerns.
April 2008: Promotion to Lieutenant
On 13 April 2008, Prince Harry was promoted to lieutenant in the British Army.
May 2008: Awarded Operational Service Medal
In May 2008, Princess Anne presented Prince Harry with the Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan at Combermere Barracks, recognizing his service in a war zone.
October 2008: Announcement of Helicopter Training
In October 2008, it was announced that Prince Harry would learn to fly military helicopters.
November 2008: Stephen K. Amos alleges Harry made a racist comment
In November 2008, British comedian Stephen K. Amos alleged that after performing at Prince Charles's 60th birthday, Prince Harry commented on his performance by saying, "You don't sound like a black chap."
2008: Helmand Province Service
In 2007-2008, Prince Harry served for ten weeks in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
January 2009: News of the World Releases Video with Offensive Remarks
In January 2009, the News of the World released a video made by Prince Harry three years earlier where he used offensive terms, referring to a Pakistani officer cadet as "our little Paki friend" and calling a soldier in camouflage a "raghead." Clarence House issued an apology, and Harry was reportedly instructed to attend a diversity course.
January 2009: Establishment of Own Royal Household
On January 6, 2009, The Queen granted Prince Harry and Prince William their own royal household. Previously, their affairs had been managed by their father's office at Clarence House.
February 2009: Failed Pilot's Theory Test
In February 2009, Prince Harry initially failed his pilot's theory test.
2009: Harry and Chelsy Davy part ways
In early 2009, it was reported that Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy had parted ways after a five-year relationship.
May 2010: Awarded Flying Brevet
On 7 May 2010, Prince Charles presented Prince Harry with his flying brevet at a ceremony at the Army Air Corps Base.
2010: RFU Vice-Royal Patron
Since 2010, Harry served as the RFU's vice-royal patron, supporting the Queen as patron.
April 2011: Awarded Apache Flying Badge
On 14 April 2011, Prince Harry was awarded his Apache Flying Badge and was promoted to captain on 16 April.
June 2011: Availability for Deployment as Apache Pilot
In June 2011, Clarence House announced that Prince Harry would be available for deployment in current operations in Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter pilot.
October 2011: Transfer to US Military Base for Training
In October 2011, Prince Harry was transferred to a United States military base in California to complete his helicopter gunship training.
2011: Harry has close relationship with Charlotte Griffiths
During the ANL trial in January 2026, it was revealed that between 2011 and 2012 Harry himself had a close relationship with Charlotte Griffiths, a Mail on Sunday reporter, whom he had exchanges with via Facebook and phones.
March 2012: Official Visit to Belize, Bahamas, Jamaica and Brazil
In March 2012, Prince Harry led an official visit to Belize as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. He then visited the Bahamas and Jamaica, where the Prime Minister was considering turning Jamaica into a republic. He subsequently visited Brazil to attend the GREAT Campaign.
May 2012: Participation in "Sing" Music Video
In May 2012, Prince Harry played the tambourine and took part in the music video for the song "Sing", which was released to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee.
August 2012: Las Vegas Naked Photos Leak
In August 2012, Prince Harry was photographed naked with a woman in a Wynn Las Vegas hotel room during a game of strip billiards. The photos were leaked by TMZ on August 21, 2012, and were widely reported. British media were initially reluctant to publish them, but The Sun eventually did so on August 24, 2012.
September 2012: Arrival in Afghanistan for Combat Tour
On 7 September 2012, Prince Harry arrived at Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan to begin a four-month combat tour as a co-pilot and gunner for an Apache helicopter. On 10 September, the Taliban threatened his life. On 18 September, Harry was moved to a safe location after a Taliban attack on Camp Bastion.
2012: Harry has close relationship with Charlotte Griffiths
During the ANL trial in January 2026, it was revealed that between 2011 and 2012 Harry himself had a close relationship with Charlotte Griffiths, a Mail on Sunday reporter, whom he had exchanges with via Facebook and phones.
2012: Army Air Corps Deployment
In 2012, Prince Harry served for twenty weeks with the Army Air Corps in Afghanistan.
January 2013: Return from Afghanistan Deployment
On 21 January 2013, it was announced that Prince Harry was returning from a 20-week deployment in Afghanistan.
May 2013: Official Visit to the US
Between 9 and 15 May 2013, Prince Harry made an official visit to the US, promoting the rehabilitation of injured troops, publicising his charities, and supporting British interests. He visited Washington, DC, Colorado, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, and met survivors of Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey.
June 2013: DNA confirms Indian descent
In June 2013, BritainsDNA announced that genealogical DNA tests on two of Harry and William's distant matrilineal cousins confirmed that Eliza Kewark, their ancestor, was matrilineally of Indian descent.
July 2013: Qualification as Apache Aircraft Commander
On 8 July 2013, the Ministry of Defence announced that Prince Harry had successfully qualified as an Apache aircraft commander.
October 2013: Jo Brand's joke on Have I Got News for You
In October 2013, Jo Brand made a joke on Have I Got News for You about Prince George's christening, which referenced Prince Harry. Kensington Palace contacted the BBC to point out a factual error in the joke, but the BBC only apologized for the error and not the comment itself.
December 2013: South Pole Expedition
In December 2013, Prince Harry participated in Walking With The Wounded's 200-mile expedition to the South Pole in Antarctica, accompanying twelve injured servicemen and women from the UK, the US and the Commonwealth.
2013: Army Air Corps Deployment
In 2012-2013, Prince Harry served for twenty weeks with the Army Air Corps in Afghanistan.
2013: First meeting with Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz
In 2013, Prince Harry first met with Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz, a Saudi businessman who later donated to Harry's charity Sentebale.
2013: Patron of HALO Trust's 25th Anniversary Appeal
In 2013, Prince Harry was named as patron of the HALO Trust's 25th Anniversary Appeal.
2013: Harry's claims relate to articles published between 2001 and 2013
In January 2026, the trial between Prince Harry, other claimants, and ANL began, with proceedings expected to last nine weeks. Prince Harry's claims relate to 14 articles published between 2001 and 2013, which his lawyer argued could not have been lawfully sourced.
January 2014: Harry takes staff officer role in London District
In January 2014, Prince Harry completed his attachment to 3 Regiment Army Air Corps and assumed the staff officer role of SO3 (Defence Engagement) in HQ London District, coordinating Army projects and commemorative events in London.
February 2014: Ashraf Islam sentenced for plotting to murder Harry
In February 2014, Ashraf Islam was sentenced to three years in prison for plotting to murder Prince Harry. Islam believed Harry had "a moral guilt" due to his service in the army.
March 2014: Harry launches Invictus Games
On March 6, 2014, Prince Harry launched the Invictus Games, a Paralympic-style sporting event for injured servicemen and women, scheduled to be held in September.
April 2014: Harry meets Invictus Games hopefuls
On April 29, 2014, Prince Harry met with British hopefuls for the Invictus Games at Tedworth House in Wiltshire, marking the start of the selection process for the Games.
April 2014: Harry and Cressida Bonas part amicably
On April 30, 2014, it was reported that Prince Harry and Cressida Bonas had parted amicably.
May 2014: Harry attends Invictus Games ticket launch
On May 15, 2014, Prince Harry attended a ticket-sale launch for the Invictus Games at the BT Tower, tweeting from the Games' official Twitter account as its president.
August 2014: Harry attends British Armed Forces Team announcement for Invictus Games
In August 2014, Prince Harry and officials attended the British Armed Forces Team announcement for the Invictus Games at Potters Field Park.
September 2014: Harry attends Invictus Games events
In September 2014, Prince Harry, as president of the Invictus Games, attended all events related to the competition from the 8th to the 14th.
November 2014: Opened the Field of Remembrance
On 6 November 2014, Prince Harry opened the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, a task usually performed by Prince Philip.
2014: Inheritance of Diana's Wedding Dress
In 2014, Prince Harry and Prince William inherited Diana's wedding dress, many personal possessions, and the original lyrics and score of "Candle in the Wind" by Bernie Taupin and Elton John.
2014: Continued meetings with Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz
In 2014, Prince Harry had continued meetings with Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz, who made donations to Sentebale and Walking With The Wounded.
2014: Invictus Games Founding
In 2014, inspired by the Warrior Games, Prince Harry founded the Invictus Games and has remained actively involved as its patron.
January 2015: Harry supports wounded service personnel in new role
In January 2015, Prince Harry took on a new role supporting wounded service personnel, working with the London District's Personal Recovery Unit and visiting recovery centers such as The Battle Back Centre and Fisher House UK.
March 2015: Harry visits Phoenix House
In March 2015, Prince Harry visited Phoenix House in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, a recovery center run by Help for Heroes.
March 2015: Harry to leave Armed Forces in June
On March 17, 2015, Kensington Palace announced that Prince Harry would leave the Armed Forces in June, after spending four weeks with the Australian Defence Force and then working voluntarily with the Ministry of Defence.
April 2015: Visits to Australian War Memorial and Gallipoli Centenary
In April 2015, Prince Harry visited the Australian War Memorial in Canberra before reporting for duty to the Australian Defence Force. He also joined his father in Turkey to attend commemorations of the centenary of the Gallipoli Campaign.
May 2015: Harry's attachment with ADF ends
On May 8, 2015, Prince Harry's attachment with the Australian Defence Force ended.
June 2015: Harry resigns his short service commission
On June 19, 2015, Prince Harry resigned his short service commission.
October 2015: Invictus Games Orlando 2016 Launch
In October 2015, Prince Harry launched the Invictus Games Orlando 2016 with First Lady Michelle Obama and Second Lady Jill Biden at Fort Belvoir. He also attended an Invictus Games board meeting and a reception at the British Ambassador's Residence.
October 2015: Walk of Britain
In October 2015, as patron of Walk of Britain, Prince Harry walked with the team on the 30th and 20th of the month.
November 2015: Opening of Mamohato Children's Centre in Lesotho
In November 2015, Prince Harry, as patron of Sentebale, travelled to Lesotho to attend the opening of the Mamohato Children's Centre.
December 2015: Official Visit to South Africa
From 30 November to 3 December 2015, Prince Harry made an official visit to South Africa. He visited Cape Town, presented the insignia of the Order of the Companions of Honour to the Archbishop, and played the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup, fundraising for Sentebale.
2015: Severing Ties with Mahfouz
In 2015, Prince Harry stated that he severed ties with Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz after expressing "growing concerns" about his motives.
2015: Support for Rugby World Cup Bid
In 2015, Prince Harry supported England's bid to host rugby union's 2015 Rugby World Cup.
January 2016: Harry recounts taking magic mushrooms at Courteney Cox's house
In January 2016, Prince Harry recounted taking magic mushrooms at a party at Courteney Cox's house.
July 2016: HIV Awareness Campaign
On July 14, 2016, Prince Harry took an HIV test live on the royal family Facebook page to raise awareness for HIV testing. Later, on July 21, 2016, he attended the 21st International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa.
2016: Co-founding Heads Together
In 2016, Prince Harry, along with Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, co-founded Heads Together, a mental health awareness initiative.
2016: Claims against Rupert Murdoch and expansion of case's scope
In May 2024, Mr Justice Fancourt refused Harry permission to include claims against Rupert Murdoch, expand his case's scope back to 1994 and 1995 to cover allegations involving his mother, or add new allegations from 2016 involving his then-girlfriend Meghan. The case aimed to add new allegations from 2016 involving his then-girlfriend Meghan.
January 2017: Visit to the Running Charity and Depaul UK
In January 2017, Prince Harry visited the Running Charity and its partner Depaul UK to highlight the role of sport in helping homeless and vulnerable people.
April 2017: Landmine Free 2025 Reception
In April 2017, Prince Harry hosted the Landmine Free 2025 reception at Kensington Palace, during which the UK government announced an increase in its financial support for de-mining efforts.
September 2017: Harry and Meghan make first public appearance
In September 2017, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their first public appearance together at the Invictus Games in Toronto.
November 2017: Harry and Meghan Markle's engagement is announced
On November 27, 2017, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's engagement was announced by Harry's father.
December 2017: Harry becomes Captain General Royal Marines
On December 19, 2017, Prince Harry succeeded his grandfather Prince Philip as Captain General Royal Marines.
2017: Sought Counselling After Mother's Death
In 2017, Prince Harry revealed that he had sought counselling for years after his mother's death. He disclosed that he struggled with aggression, anxiety during royal engagements, and was close to a breakdown. He also mentioned using boxing, alcohol, and experimental drugs like psychedelics to cope with stress and PTSD.
2017: Harry states he has "five or six" godchildren
In 2017, Prince Harry stated that he had "five or six" godchildren, some of whom later attended his wedding.
April 2018: Appointed Commonwealth Youth Ambassador and Patron of Walk of America
In April 2018, Prince Harry was appointed Commonwealth Youth Ambassador and became a patron of Walk of America, a campaign involving veterans taking part in a 1,000-mile expedition across the US. He also became the president of The Queen's Commonwealth Trust.
May 2018: Harry and Meghan sign lease on WestfieldLarge
In May 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, reportedly signed a two-year lease on WestfieldLarge, located on the Great Tew Estate in the Cotswolds.
May 2018: Harry becomes Duke of Sussex; wedding to Meghan Markle
On May 19, 2018, Queen Elizabeth II conferred the title of Duke of Sussex upon Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle became Duchess of Sussex through their marriage at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
July 2018: First Overseas Visit as a Couple to Dublin
In July 2018, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan travelled to Dublin, Ireland, marking their first overseas visit as a couple.
July 2018: Elton John AIDS Foundation Announcement
In July 2018, the Elton John AIDS Foundation announced that the Duke of Sussex and Elton John were about to launch a global coalition called MenStar that would focus "on treating HIV infections in men".
October 2018: Invictus Games in Sydney and Pacific Tour
In October 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan travelled to Sydney for the 2018 Invictus Games as part of a Pacific tour that included Australia, Fiji, Tonga, and New Zealand.
2018: Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2018, Prince Harry was selected as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by Time magazine, recognizing his impact and influence.
April 2019: Harry co-creates and executive produces a documentary series about mental health with Oprah Winfrey
In April 2019, it was announced that Harry was working as a co-creator and executive producer on a documentary series about mental health together with Oprah Winfrey. The documentary was initially set to air in 2020 on Apple TV+.
April 2019: RAVEC Reassesses Harry's Threat Level
In April 2019, it was announced that, for the first time since that month, RAVEC would reassess Harry's threat level. This decision came after a private letter he had sent to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood earlier in the year.
May 2019: Splash News apologizes for privacy breach
In May 2019, Splash News issued a formal apology to the Sussexes for sending photographers to their Cotswolds residence, putting their privacy at risk. The agency also agreed to pay damages and legal costs.
June 2019: Split from The Royal Foundation
In June 2019, it was announced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would split from The Royal Foundation and establish their own charity foundation by the end of 2019.
June 2019: Criticism about Royal Family Carbon Footprint
In June 2019, the royal family faced criticism after it was revealed that they had doubled their carbon footprint from business travel.
June 2019: Members of neo-Nazi group jailed for sharing propaganda posters
In June 2019, two members of the neo-Nazi group Sonnenkrieg Division were jailed for eighteen months and four years, respectively, for sharing propaganda posters among which was one that labelled Harry as a "race traitor" with a gun pointed at his head. The pair had called for the execution of Prince Harry and his son.
July 2019: The Sun publishes stories regarding Archie's nannying and god-parenting arrangements
In July 2019, The Sun published stories that detailed the nannying and god-parenting arrangements for Harry and Meghan's son Archie, leading to allegations that payments were made to associates of palace officials to secure these stories.
August 2019: Criticism for Private Jet Journeys
In August 2019, Prince Harry and Meghan were criticized for taking four private jet journeys in 11 days, including one to Elton John's home in Nice, France, raising concerns about their environmental impact.
September 2019: Launch of Travalyst
In September 2019, Prince Harry launched Travalyst during his visit to the Netherlands. Travalyst is an initiative to encourage sustainable practices in the travel industry in collaboration with companies including Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner, and Visa Inc.
September 2019: Visit to Angola De-mining Site
In September 2019, Prince Harry walked through a de-mining site in Angola, the same country visited by his mother 22 years earlier.
October 2019: Southern African Tour
In October 2019, Prince Harry and Meghan's Southern African tour included Malawi, Angola, South Africa, and Botswana, marking their first official tour as a family with their infant son Archie. Prince Harry visited the Born Free to Shine project in Luanda and unveiled an initiative to protect an elephant migration route.
October 2019: Harry sues Daily Mirror, The Sun and News of the World
In October 2019, Prince Harry sued the Daily Mirror, The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World in relation to alleged phone-hacking. Harry sought damages in excess of £200,000 and alleged a previous agreement with News Group Newspapers (NGN) was not honored.
November 2019: National HIV Testing Week Interview
In November 2019, to mark National HIV Testing Week, Prince Harry interviewed HIV+ Rugby player Gareth Thomas on behalf of the Terrence Higgins Trust to raise awareness.
2019: Presentation at Challenge Cup Finals
In 2019, Prince Harry presented the trophy at rugby league's 2019 Challenge Cup finals.
January 2020: Stepping Back from Royal Roles
In January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan stepped back from their roles as working members of the royal family and relocated to Southern California.
January 2020: Pranked by Russian Comedians
In January 2020, Prince Harry was pranked by Russian comedians Vovan and Lexus, who impersonated Greta Thunberg and her father during phone calls. He criticized Donald Trump's climate change stance during the conversations.
January 2020: Legal warning issued to the press
In January 2020, lawyers issued a legal warning to the press after paparazzi photographs of Prince Harry, Meghan, and Archie were published in the media.
January 2020: IPSO Sided with Mail on Sunday
In January 2020, the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) sided with the Mail on Sunday over a dispute with Prince Harry regarding an Instagram photo involving elephants that the newspaper claimed were "tranquilised" and "tethered", rejecting Harry's claim that the description was inaccurate.
January 2020: Harry to step back from Royal duties
On January 18, 2020, Buckingham Palace announced an agreement for Prince Harry to step back from Royal duties, including official military appointments.
January 2020: The Sun publishes story on Megxit
On January 8, 2020, Dan Wootton broke the story in The Sun about Megxit and Harry and Meghan's initial plans for moving to Canada, which prompted the couple to issue an announcement within hours, confirming their plans for stepping back from their royal duties.
February 2020: Recording of "Unbroken" with Jon Bon Jovi
In February 2020, Prince Harry recorded a new version of the song "Unbroken" with Jon Bon Jovi, featuring backing vocals from members of the Invictus Choir.
February 2020: "Sussex Royal" Brand Discontinued
On February 21, 2020, it was confirmed that "Sussex Royal" would not be used as a brand name for the couple following their withdrawal from public life.
March 2020: End of Role as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador
In March 2020, Prince Harry's tenure as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador concluded.
March 2020: Release of "Unbroken" with Jon Bon Jovi
On March 27, 2020, the new version of the song "Unbroken" with Jon Bon Jovi, recorded in February, was released, with the proceeds donated to the Invictus Games Foundation.
March 2020: Sussexes cease official engagements
On March 31, 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex's office was moved to Buckingham Palace and officially closed when the Sussexes ceased "undertaking official engagements in support of the Queen".
April 2020: Announcement of Archewell Foundation
In April 2020, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry confirmed that their new foundation, replacing Sussex Royal, would be called "Archewell".
April 2020: Launch of HeadFIT
In April 2020, Prince Harry launched HeadFIT, a platform designed to provide mental support for members of the armed forces. The initiative was developed mutually by the Royal Foundation's Heads Together campaign, the Ministry of Defence, and King's College London.
April 2020: Announcement of non-cooperation with certain media outlets
In April 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced that they would no longer cooperate with the Daily Mail, the Sun, the Mirror, and the Express.
June 2020: Harry and Meghan buy house in Montecito
After several months in Canada and the US, in June 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex bought a house in Montecito, California.
June 2020: Lawyers threaten to sue The Sun and Dan Wootton
In June 2020, Prince Harry's lawyers issued a 'letter before action', threatening to sue The Sun and Dan Wootton over allegations of payments to palace officials for stories. It was alleged that The Sun had made two payments amounting to £4,000 to the partner of a royal official in relation to stories published in June and July 2019.
June 2020: Support for Stop Hate for Profit Campaign
In June 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex backed the Stop Hate for Profit campaign and encouraged CEOs of different companies to join the movement.
August 2020: Renaming and Dissolution of Sussex Royal Foundation
On August 5, 2020, the Sussex Royal Foundation was renamed "MWX Foundation" and dissolved the same day.
September 2020: Video Urging Voters to Reject Hate Speech
In September 2020, Prince Harry and his wife released a video urging American voters to reject hate speech and misinformation in the 2020 United States presidential election, which was interpreted as an implicit endorsement of Joe Biden.
September 2020: Legal complaint against The Times
In September 2020, Prince Harry issued a legal complaint against The Times for publishing an article claiming an Invictus Games fundraiser had been cancelled due to its affiliation with a competitor of Netflix, Harry's business partner.
October 2020: Official Launch of Archewell Website
In October 2020, the website for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's new foundation, Archewell, was officially launched.
December 2020: Lawsuit Against Associated Newspapers Limited
In December 2020, Prince Harry's legal team sued Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) for publishing a story in the Mail on Sunday claiming his relationship with the Royal Marines had suffered after his royal departure. The newspaper later apologized and paid substantial damages to be donated to the Invictus Games Foundation.
2020: Move to the US
In 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan experienced initial difficulties associated with their move to the US, as discussed during their Oprah Winfrey interview in March 2021.
February 2021: Resignation as President of The Queen's Commonwealth Trust
In February 2021, Prince Harry stepped down as the president of The Queen's Commonwealth Trust.
February 2021: Harry gives up military appointments
In February 2021, the Palace confirmed that the Duke would relinquish his position as Captain General Royal Marines and all other honorary military appointments.
March 2021: Interview with Oprah Winfrey
In March 2021, Prince Harry and Meghan gave a widely publicised interview to Oprah Winfrey on "Oprah with Meghan and Harry".
March 2021: Charity Commission Review of Sussex Royal
In March 2021, it was reported that the Charity Commission for England and Wales was conducting a review of the Sussex Royal organization in a "regulatory and compliance case" regarding its conduct under charity law during dissolution.
March 2021: Oprah Winfrey Interview
On March 7, 2021, Prince Harry and Meghan were interviewed by Oprah Winfrey in a television special for CBS. They discussed marriage, motherhood, the pressures of public life, their move to the US in 2020, and their plans for the future. Harry also criticized his father's parenting and his relationship with his brother, leading to a wide and polarized reaction.
April 2021: Vax Live Campaign Chairs and Vaccine Equity Support
In April 2021, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were announced as campaign chairs for Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World. They also announced their support for a vaccine equity fundraiser and urged pharmaceutical CEOs to address the vaccine equity crisis.
April 2021: Narration of "Hope Starts Here"
Later in April 2021, Prince Harry narrated "Hope Starts Here", a special video rereleased by African Parks to mark Earth Day, urging organisations to preserve biodiversity and paying tribute to Prince Philip.
May 2021: Armchair Expert Podcast Controversy
In May 2021, Prince Harry appeared on the Armchair Expert podcast and commented on the First Amendment in the US, stating it was "bonkers." His comments drew criticism from various American public figures.
May 2021: Support for Peak State
In May 2021, Prince Harry publicly lent his support to Peak State, a mental fitness programme aimed at providing tools and resources for managing mental health.
June 2021: Statement on HALO Trust Attack in Afghanistan
In June 2021, after ten members of the HALO Trust were killed by an armed group at a mine clearance camp in Afghanistan, Prince Harry issued a statement condemning the attack.
June 2021: Dispute over Lilibet's name
In June 2021, after the birth of Prince Harry and Meghan's daughter Lilibet, the BBC reported that the couple had not sought permission from the Queen to use her personal family nickname. Lawyers for the couple accused the BBC of defamation, claiming Harry had spoken to the Queen before announcing the name.
June 2021: Birth of Lilibet
On June 4, 2021, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex's daughter, Lilibet, was born.
August 2021: Private Jet Flight to Aspen
In August 2021, Prince Harry received backlash for taking a two-hour private jet flight between California and Aspen, Colorado, to participate in a charity polo tournament.
September 2021: Warrior Games Virtual Event
In September 2021, Prince Harry, together with First Lady Jill Biden, hosted a virtual event for the Warrior Games, which were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
October 2021: Open Letter to G20 Leaders on COVID-19 Vaccines
Also in October 2021, ahead of the 2021 G20 Rome summit, Prince Harry and his wife wrote an open letter with the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, asking G20 leaders to expedite efforts for the global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.
October 2021: Op-Ed Against Oil Drilling in Okavango River
In October 2021, Prince Harry spoke against oil drilling in the Okavango River in an op-ed for The Washington Post.
November 2021: Warnings Prior to Capitol Attack
In November 2021, Prince Harry said he emailed Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter, the day before the January 6 United States Capitol attack to warn of potential unrest but received no response.
December 2021: Reports emerge about meetings with Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz
In December 2021, reports emerged about Prince Harry's meetings with Saudi businessman Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz, leading to an investigation into Mahfouz's CBE. Harry referred to it as the "CBE scandal".
2021: Harry describes army years as "the happiest"
In 2021, Prince Harry described his 10 years (2005–2015) in the army as "the happiest times in my life".
2021: Mental Health Documentary and Therapy
In 2021, Prince Harry discussed his mental health journey in "The Me You Can't See", revealing he underwent four years of therapy, prompted by his future wife. He spoke about suffering from panic attacks and severe anxiety, leading to burnout from royal duties.
2021: Featured on Time 100 Cover
In 2021, Prince Harry was selected as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by Time magazine. The couple was featured on one of the magazine's seven worldwide Time 100 covers.
2021: Travalyst Partnership with Google
In 2021, Travalyst announced a partnership with Google.
2021: Gavin Burrows statement in ANL case
In October 2022, the Duke of Sussex joined other public figures in launching a legal action against ANL for alleged "abhorrent criminal activity" including phone hacking and obtaining sensitive information, where Gavin Burrows gave a 2021 statement.
January 2022: Legal complaint against The Times
In January 2022, Prince Harry and Meghan jointly filed a legal complaint against The Times for an article reporting on Archewell raising less than $50,000 in 2020.
January 2022: Harry's legal fight over police protection begins
In January 2022, it was reported that Harry had been in a legal fight since September 2021 over the Home Office's refusal to allow him to pay for police protection. He had made the offer to pay during the Sandringham Summit and "self-evidently believed" that it would be passed on to the government.
February 2022: Filed Libel Suit Against ANL
In February 2022, Prince Harry filed a libel suit in the High Court against ANL for a Mail on Sunday article alleging he was trying to keep his legal battle with the Home Office secret.
March 2022: Signing of Open Letter on COVID-19 Vaccine Access
In March 2022, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were among over a hundred people who signed an open letter published by the People's Vaccine Alliance, asking for free global access to COVID-19 vaccines.
April 2022: Launch of Eco-Travel Campaign
In April 2022, Prince Harry launched an eco-travel campaign through Travalyst, encouraging people to travel sustainably, in a video featuring Rhys Darby and Dave Fane on Māori Television.
April 2022: Interview with Today's Hoda Kotb during Invictus Games
In April 2022, Prince Harry was interviewed by Today's Hoda Kotb during the Invictus Games, during which he claimed that he had visited his grandmother the Queen earlier to make sure that she was "protected and got the right people around her."
June 2022: Reaction to Supreme Court Decision
In June 2022, Meghan described Prince Harry's reaction to the Supreme Court's decision on abortion rights as "guttural" in an interview with Vogue.
June 2022: Private Jet Flight After Queen's Jubilee
In June 2022, after the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, Prince Harry and Meghan boarded a private jet to California, estimated to have emitted "ten times more carbon than flying commercial."
July 2022: Criticism of Supreme Court Ruling at UN
In July 2022, Prince Harry criticized the Supreme Court's abortion ruling as a "rolling back of constitutional rights" during an address to the United Nations on Mandela Day.
August 2022: Harry files lawsuit against the Home Office and the Metropolitan Police
In August 2022, Harry filed a lawsuit against the Home Office and the Metropolitan Police, challenging the decision by RAVEC from January 2022 which stated that State security could not be made available to private individuals even if they wished to pay for it themselves.
September 2022: The Sussexes visit the UK and Germany for charity events
In September 2022, the Sussexes visited the UK and Germany for a number of charity events in Manchester and Düsseldorf. On 8 September 2022, while Harry and Meghan were in London preparing to attend a charity event, Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, and they remained in the United Kingdom for her funeral.
October 2022: Legal action against ANL launched
In October 2022, the Duke of Sussex joined other public figures in launching a legal action against ANL for alleged "abhorrent criminal activity" including phone hacking and obtaining sensitive information.
December 2022: Appearance in Harry & Meghan Documentary
In December 2022, Prince Harry and Meghan appeared in the Netflix documentary series "Harry & Meghan".
December 2022: Harry Ranked Among Most Disliked Royals
In December 2022, Prince Harry was ranked as the third most disliked member of the British royal family by YouGov, following Prince Andrew and Meghan, after his popularity fell due to controversial interviews, docuseries, and his memoir.
2022: Accusations of Abuse by African Parks Surface
In 2022, accusations of abuse by the charity African Parks surfaced publicly, with reports claiming that rangers managed by the organization had been torturing, beating, raping, and forcibly displacing members of the indigenous Baka community.
January 2023: Series of interviews ahead of memoir release
In January 2023, Prince Harry sat down for a series of interviews ahead of the release of his memoir Spare, including interviews by Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes, Tom Bradby on ITV1, Stephen Colbert on The Late Show, and Michael Strahan on Good Morning America. During these interviews, he discussed his family relationships and alleged media manipulation.
January 2023: High Court judge rules that Harry's lawsuit against MGN will go to trial
In January 2023, a High Court judge ruled that Harry's lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), as well as other similar lawsuits against the publisher, would go to trial in May 2023.
January 2023: Publication of Spare
On 10 January 2023, Harry's memoir, Spare by J. R. Moehringer, was officially published in 16 languages. Spare has since become the UK's fastest-selling non-fiction book with 400,000 confirmed sales in all formats on publication day. Harry announced that $1.5 million of the proceeds from the memoir were pledged to the charity Sentebale, while £300,000 would be given to WellChild.
March 2023: Gabor Maté suggests Harry could be suffering from PTSD, ADD, anxiety, and depression
In March 2023, during a live-streamed interview with Harry, physician Gabor Maté publicly suggested that Harry could be suffering from PTSD, ADD, anxiety, and depression, based on their conversation and having read his autobiography "Spare".
March 2023: Heritage Foundation's Dossier on Drug Use
In March 2023, the Heritage Foundation sent a dossier on Prince Harry's past drug use to government entities, questioning whether he disclosed it on his U.S. visa application.
May 2023: Trial against Mirror Group Newspapers begins
At the beginning of the trial in May 2023, Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) apologized for one instance of unlawful information gathering against Prince Harry and added that his legal challenge "warrants compensation".
June 2023: Criticism of UK Government
In June 2023, Prince Harry criticized the UK government in a witness statement submitted to a court, accusing the press of being too close to the government.
June 2023: Harry testifies in court case against Daily Mirror
In June 2023, Prince Harry testified in the court case against the Daily Mirror, accusing former editor Piers Morgan of personal attacks and claiming his phone had been hacked since his time at Eton. This marked the first time a royal family member was cross-examined in court since 1891.
July 2023: Ruling in Harry's case against News Group Newspapers
In July 2023, the judge ruled that part of Prince Harry's case involving allegations of illegal information gathering would go to trial, but his phone-hacking claims were dismissed for being made too late.
November 2023: Global Ambassador for Scotty's Little Soldiers
In November 2023, Prince Harry was named global ambassador for Scotty's Little Soldiers, one of the seven charities which he and his wife had invited people to support in lieu of giving them wedding presents.
December 2023: Rejection of Motion and Legal Costs
In December 2023, Prince Harry's motion to dismiss the publisher's defense in the libel suit was rejected, and he was ordered to pay Mail on Sunday £48,447 in legal costs.
December 2023: High Court rules in favor of Harry in phone hacking claim against MGN
In December 2023, the High Court ruled in favor of Harry for 15 of the 33 sample stories used in his claims of phone hacking against MGN and awarded him £140,600 in damages. The judge concluded Piers Morgan and other editors knew about the phone hacking at their publications.
2023: Named One of the '25 Most Intriguing People of the Year'
In 2023, People named Prince Harry as one of the "25 Most Intriguing People of the Year."
2023: Satirized in South Park
In 2023, Prince Harry and Meghan's exit from the royal family was satirized in an episode of South Park.
2023: Publication of Spare
In 2023, Prince Harry published his memoir, "Spare".
2023: Appointment to African Parks Board of Directors
In 2023, Prince Harry was appointed a member of the board of directors of African Parks, a conservation NGO, after holding the position of president since 2017.
2023: Memoir Describing Agoraphobia
In his 2023 memoir, Prince Harry described himself as an agoraphobe.
2023: Harry describes relationship with Caroline Flack in memoir
In his 2023 memoir, Prince Harry writes about his relationship with Caroline Flack, describing her as "funny", "sweet", and "cool", before press intrusion "tainted" their relationship. Caroline Flack also discussed the relationship in her own autobiography.
January 2024: Neo-Nazis sentenced for calling for the deaths of Harry and Archie
In January 2024, Christopher Gibbons and Tyrone Patten-Walsh, two neo-Nazis, were given prison sentences between 8 and 11 years for terrorism, which included calling for the deaths of Prince Harry and his son Archie on their podcast.
January 2024: Inducted into the Living Legends of Aviation
In January 2024, Harry was inducted into the Living Legends of Aviation.
January 2024: Withdrawal of Libel Claim
In January 2024, Prince Harry withdrew his libel claim against ANL and became liable for the publisher's £250,000 legal costs.
February 2024: Harry settles claim with MGN
In February 2024, Prince Harry settled his claim with Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN). The publisher agreed to cover his legal costs and pay damages reported to be in the region of £300,000.
March 2024: Named in lawsuit against P. Diddy
In March 2024, Prince Harry was mentioned in a lawsuit against P. Diddy related to sexual trafficking allegations, cited as a celebrity associate used to attract guests to parties.
March 2024: Order to Provide Visa Application Materials
In March 2024, the U.S. government was ordered to provide Prince Harry's visa-application materials to a D.C. court after an unsuccessful freedom‑of‑information request.
May 2024: Harry and Meghan visit Nigeria
In May 2024, Harry and Meghan visited Nigeria to honour the work of the Invictus Games. According to CNN, their trip focused on "sports rehabilitation, mental health, and women's empowerment".
May 2024: Restriction of claims against Rupert Murdoch and expansion of case's scope
In May 2024, Mr Justice Fancourt refused Harry permission to include claims against Rupert Murdoch, expand his case's scope back to 1994 and 1995 to cover allegations involving his mother, or add new allegations from 2016 involving his then-girlfriend Meghan.
May 2024: Permission to challenge High Court's decision
In May 2024, Prince Harry was given permission by the Court of Appeal to challenge the High Court's decision regarding his security arrangements.
September 2024: Visa Case Closed with Sealed Orders
In September 2024, the case regarding Prince Harry's visa application was closed after sealed orders and a memorandum opinion were filed. The Heritage Foundation requested the ruling be vacated and confidential correspondence be released.
October 2024: The two sides urged to settle or go to trial
In October 2024, the judge announced that the two sides should either settle or go to trial in January 2025 and refused to let Harry's team include allegations that bugs were placed in rooms and cars, and trackers placed on vehicles as "no particulars whatsoever of such allegations" were provided.
December 2024: The Polo docuseries released on Netflix
In December 2024, The Polo docuseries, produced by Archewell Productions, was released on Netflix and was a critical and commercial disappointment.
2024: Further Accusations of Abuse by African Parks Surface
In 2024, further accusations of abuse by the charity African Parks surfaced publicly, with reports claiming that rangers managed by the organization had been torturing, beating, raping, and forcibly displacing members of the indigenous Baka community.
January 2025: Appearance at Food Bank Draws Mixed Reactions
In January 2025, Prince Harry and Meghan's appearance at a food bank during the Southern California wildfires in the Pacific Palisades received mixed reactions, labeled by some as "disaster tourism."
January 2025: Settlement with News Group Newspapers
In January 2025, Prince Harry and News Group Newspapers (NGN) settled with NGN paying more than £10 million in pay outs and legal fees. NGN made an apology for "serious intrusion" by The Sun and admitted "incidents of unlawful activity" were carried out by private investigators.
February 2025: Trump Rules Out Deportation
In February 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he would not deport Prince Harry, telling the New York Post, "I'll leave him alone."
March 2025: Release of Redacted Court Documents
In March 2025, Judge Carl Nichols ordered the release of redacted versions of court documents related to Prince Harry's visa application. Heavily redacted documents were published, but the visa application itself and his immigration status remained withheld.
March 2025: Resignation from Sentebale
In March 2025, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho resigned as patrons of Sentebale following a dispute between trustees and the board chair, Sophie Chandauka, who reported the charity to the Charity Commission, alleging poor governance and misconduct.
May 2025: Interview with BBC and reflection on security loss
In May 2025, Harry was interviewed by Nada Tawfik of the BBC, during which he reflected on his loss of taxpayer-funded security and his ongoing estrangement from his family. Stephen Bates, writing for The Guardian, criticized Harry's approach.
May 2025: Rejection of appeal by three senior judges
In May 2025, Harry's appeal was rejected by three senior judges and he was likely to be held liable for the UK government's legal fees.
August 2025: Renewal of Archewell Productions partnership with Netflix
In August 2025, Archewell Productions renewed its partnership with Netflix under a multi-year first-look deal, which included plans for other documentary and scripted projects.
August 2025: Charity Commission Findings
In August 2025, the Charity Commission announced findings regarding Sentebale, stating it found no evidence of widespread bullying or overreach by Sophie Chandauka or Prince Harry but acknowledged a strong perception of ill-treatment, criticized all sides for allowing the conflict to become public, and cited poor internal governance as impactful to the charity's reputation.
September 2025: Calling for a Global Ban on Superintelligence Development
In September 2025, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle joined a coalition of public figures, scientists, and tech experts in signing an open letter calling for a global ban on the development of artificial superintelligence until there is strong scientific consensus and public support.
October 2025: Received the Humanitarians of the Year award
In October 2025, Prince Harry and his wife received the Humanitarians of the Year award at Project Healthy Minds' annual gala in New York City, in recognition of their commitment to mental health support.
November 2025: Harry to travel to Toronto for Remembrance Day events
In November 2025, Harry's office announced that he would travel to Toronto, Canada, for a series of events ahead of Remembrance Day.
December 2025: Appearance on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert
In December 2025, Harry appeared on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert as part of a sketch in which he made mocking comments seen as critical of U.S. President Donald Trump and the related controversy over the decision to cancel the show.
December 2025: RAVEC to reassess Harry's threat level
In December 2025, it was announced that, for the first time since April 2019, RAVEC would reassess Harry's threat level. The decision followed a private letter he had sent to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood earlier in the year.
2025: Landmine Free 2025 target
In April 2017, Prince Harry hosted the Landmine Free 2025 reception at Kensington Palace. 2025 was the targeted year to be landmine free
January 2026: Harry emphasizes truthful respect for NATO troops in Afghanistan
In January 2026, Prince Harry emphasized the need to speak about the sacrifices of NATO troops in Afghanistan truthfully and with respect, following comments by US president Donald Trump.
January 2026: ANL Trial Start
In January 2026, the trial between Prince Harry, other claimants, and ANL began, with proceedings expected to last nine weeks. Ahead of the trial, ANL accused the claimants' legal team of dishonesty, fraud, and conspiracy.
February 2026: Harry and Meghan visit Jordan
In February 2026, Harry and Meghan visited Jordan with the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. For the trips to Colombia and Jordan, the couple was accompanied by one selected reporter.
February 2026: Comments on Gaza Aid Corridors
In February 2026, Prince Harry stated in an interview with Channel 4 that aid corridors had been shut to Gaza after the Gaza war, prompting criticism from Israel's deputy minister of foreign affairs.
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