History of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex in Timeline
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is a prominent member of the British royal family. He is the younger son of King Charles III and the late Diana, Princess of Wales. Currently fifth in line to the British throne, Harry's life has been marked by both royal duties and personal challenges. He served in the British Army, including tours in Afghanistan. In recent years, he and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, stepped down as senior working royals and relocated to the United States. Their decision stemmed from a desire for greater privacy and freedom from intense media scrutiny. They now pursue philanthropic and entrepreneurial endeavors through their organization, Archewell.
February 1960: Letters patent regarding House of Windsor
On 8 February 1960, Elizabeth II issued letters patent declaring Harry's father to be a member of the House of Windsor.
September 1984: Birth at St Mary's Hospital
On 15 September 1984, Prince Harry was born in the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London, as the second child of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Diana, Princess of Wales.
December 1984: Christening at Windsor Castle
In December 1984, Prince Harry was christened Henry Charles Albert David at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, by Robert Runcie, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
May 1988: Underwent surgery for a minor hernia
In May 1988, Prince Harry underwent a surgery for a minor hernia.
1991: Family trip to Canada
1996: Parents' Divorce
In 1996, Prince Harry's parents, Charles, Prince of Wales, and Diana, Princess of Wales, divorced, a significant event in his personal life.
1997: Death of Princess Diana
In 1997, Prince Harry's mother, Princess Diana, died in a car crash in Paris, a tragic event that deeply affected his life.
1998: Family trip to Canada
November 2000: Broke his thumb while playing football
In November 2000, Prince Harry broke his thumb while playing football at Eton and underwent a minor operation.
2002: Reported disbursement from trust funds
In 2002, it was reported that Harry would share with his brother a disbursement of £4.9 million from trust funds established by their great-grandmother.
June 2003: Completion of Education at Eton
In June 2003, Prince Harry completed his education at Eton College with two A-Levels, marking the end of his formal schooling.
2003: Nickname 'Mohale' given
During his gap year in Lesotho in 2003, Harry was given the nickname Mohale, meaning 'the warrior'.
September 2004: Passing the Regular Commissions Board
In September 2004, Prince Harry passed the Regular Commissions Board (RCB).
2004: First Tour to Mants'ase Children's Home
In 2004, Harry first toured Mants'ase Children's Home near Mohale's Hoek in Lesotho.
January 2005: Controversial Remark About Girlfriend
In January 2005, Prince Harry made a controversial remark about his girlfriend, Chelsy Davy, sparking criticism.
May 2005: Entry into Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
On May 8, 2005, Prince Harry entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, beginning his formal training as an army officer.
2005: Nazi Uniform Controversy
In early 2005, Prince Harry faced backlash after being photographed at a themed party wearing a Nazi German Afrika Korps uniform with a swastika armband, leading to a public apology.
April 2006: Commissioned as Cornet in the Blues and Royals
In April 2006, Prince Harry completed his officer training and was commissioned as a Cornet (second lieutenant) in the Blues and Royals, a regiment of the Household Cavalry in the British Army.
October 2006: Completion of Troop Leaders' Course
In October 2006, Prince Harry completed the Troop Leaders' Course and rejoined his regiment in Windsor.
2006: Commencement of Official Engagements
Between 2006 and 2019, Harry completed 1,190 engagements.
2006: Visit to Mants'ase Children's Home
In 2006, Harry visited Mants'ase Children's Home near Mohale's Hoek in Lesotho, which he had first toured in 2004.
October 2007: Video of Harry Snorting Vodka Surfaces
In October 2007, a video surfaced from Prince Harry's trip to Namibia, showing him snorting vodka and engaging in inappropriate behavior.
2007: Concert for Diana
In 2007, Harry and William organised the Concert for Diana, in memory of their mother, which benefited the charities and patronages of Diana, William, and Harry.
2007: First Deployment to Afghanistan
In 2007, Prince Harry was deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, for ten weeks, marking his first active duty in a war zone.
April 2008: Promotion to Lieutenant
In April 2008, after reaching two years' seniority, Prince Harry was promoted to lieutenant in the British Army.
May 2008: Awarded Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan
In May 2008, Princess Anne presented Prince Harry with an Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan at the Combermere Barracks.
October 2008: Enduro Africa Motorbike Ride
In October 2008, Harry and his brother embarked on the 1,000 mile eight-day Enduro Africa motorbike ride across South Africa to raise money for Sentebale, UNICEF and the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.
October 2008: Learning to Fly Military Helicopters
In October 2008, it was announced that Prince Harry would follow his brother, father and uncle in learning to fly military helicopters at RAF Shawbury.
November 2008: Alleged Comment to Stephen K. Amos
In November 2008, British comedian Stephen K. Amos alleged that Prince Harry made a questionable comment after Amos's performance, though it was hoped the remark was made in jest.
2008: Return from Afghanistan
In 2007-2008, Prince Harry concludes his ten week deployment in Helmand Province.
January 2009: Establishment of own royal household
In January 2009, The Queen granted Prince Harry and Prince William their own royal household, separate from their father's office.
January 2009: Release of Controversial Video
In January 2009, a video made by Prince Harry three years earlier surfaced, containing offensive remarks towards fellow officers, leading to widespread condemnation and a public apology.
February 2009: Failed Pilot's Theory Test
In February 2009, Prince Harry initially failed his pilot's theory test at the Defence Helicopter Flying School.
September 2009: Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry Set Up
In September 2009, William and Harry set up The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry to enable them to take forward their charitable ambitions.
May 2010: Receives Flying Brevet
On 7 May 2010, Prince Charles presented Prince Harry with his flying brevet (wings) at a ceremony at the Army Air Corps Base (AAC), Middle Wallop.
2010: Served as RFU's Vice-Royal Patron
In 2010, Prince Harry served as the RFU's vice-royal patron, supporting the Queen as patron.
April 2011: Awarded Apache Flying Badge and Promotion to Captain
In April 2011, Prince Harry was awarded his Apache Flying Badge and promoted to captain in the British Army.
June 2011: Available for Deployment as Apache Helicopter 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.
2011: Walking With The Wounded Trip
In 2011 Harry took part in an unfinished trip to the North Pole with Walking With The Wounded.
May 2012: Tambourine in Music Video
In May 2012, Harry played tambourine and took part in the music video for the song "Sing", which was released to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee.
September 2012: Deployment to Afghanistan as Apache Co-Pilot Gunner
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.
2012: Second Deployment to Afghanistan
In 2012, Prince Harry was deployed for twenty weeks to Afghanistan with the Army Air Corps, marking his second tour of duty.
2012: Launched Coach Core
In 2012, Prince Harry, along with his brother and sister-in-law, launched Coach Core, a program providing apprenticeship opportunities for aspiring professional coaches, following the 2012 Olympics.
January 2013: Return from Deployment in Afghanistan
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 United States
Between 9 and 15 May 2013, Harry made an official visit to the United States to promote the rehabilitation of injured troops, support his charities, and back British interests.
June 2013: Genealogical DNA tests confirm Indian descent
In June 2013, BritainsDNA announced that DNA tests on Harry and William's distant matrilineal cousins confirm Eliza Kewark was 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: Official tour of Australia
In October 2013, Harry undertook his first official tour of Australia, attending the International Fleet Review and visiting the Australian SAS HQ.
October 2013: BBC apologizes for joke about Harry on "Have I Got News for You"
In October 2013, Kensington Palace contacted the BBC after Jo Brand made a joke about Harry using drugs during a broadcast of 'Have I Got News for You'. The BBC apologized for a factual inaccuracy, but stood by the comment as part of the show's "irreverent humor".
December 2013: Expedition to the South Pole
In December 2013, Harry joined Walking With The Wounded's 200-mile expedition to the South Pole in Antarctica.
2013: Return from Afghanistan
In 2012-2013, Prince Harry concludes his second twenty week deployment in Afghanistan.
2013: Named as patron of the HALO Trust's 25th Anniversary Appeal
In 2013 Harry was named as patron of the HALO Trust's 25th Anniversary Appeal.
2013: Met Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz
In 2013, Prince Harry met with Saudi businessman Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz.
January 2014: Completes Army Air Corps attachment, takes staff officer role
In January 2014, Prince Harry completed his attachment to 3 Regiment Army Air Corps. He then took up a staff officer role, SO3 (Defence Engagement) in HQ London District, where his responsibilities included coordinating significant projects and commemorative events involving the Army in London. He was based at Horse Guards in central London.
February 2014: Man sentenced for plotting to murder Harry
In February 2014, Ashraf Islam was sentenced to three years in prison for plotting to murder Harry, believing Harry had "a moral guilt" due to his military service.
March 2014: Harry launches Invictus Games
On 6 March 2014, Prince Harry launched the Invictus Games, a Paralympic-style sporting event for injured servicemen and women, which was scheduled to be held later in the year. This marked a significant step in his efforts to support and honor wounded veterans.
April 2014: Harry meets Invictus Games hopefuls
On 29 April 2014, Prince Harry met with British hopefuls for the Invictus Games at Tedworth House in Wiltshire. This meeting marked the start of the selection process for the Games.
April 2014: Reported split from Cressida Bonas
On 30 April 2014, it was reported that Prince Harry and Cressida Bonas had parted amicably, ending their relationship.
May 2014: Harry attends Invictus Games ticket launch
On 15 May 2014, Prince Harry attended a ticket sale launch for the Invictus Games at BT Tower. As president of the Games, he tweeted from the Invictus Games' official Twitter account to promote the event.
July 2014: Harry promotes Invictus Games on BBC Radio 2
In July 2014, Prince Harry was interviewed by Chris Evans on BBC Radio 2 along with two Invictus Games hopefuls to promote the Games. He emphasized that organizing the Invictus Games was his "full-time job at the moment". The show aired on 31 July 2014.
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. As president of the Invictus Games, he continued his active role in promoting and supporting the event.
September 2014: Invictus Games held
From 10-14 September 2014, the Invictus Games, a Paralympic-style sporting event for injured servicemen and women took place.
November 2014: Opened the Field of Remembrance
On 6 November 2014, Harry opened the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey.
2014: Inheritance from Mother's Estate
In 2014, Prince Harry inherited part of the sum left by his mother.
2014: Launch of the Invictus Games
In 2014, Prince Harry launched the Invictus Games as founding patron, inspired by the Warrior Games in the United States, to support wounded, injured, or sick armed services personnel and their associated veterans.
2014: Met Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz
In 2014, Prince Harry met with Saudi businessman Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz.
January 2015: Harry takes on new role supporting wounded service personnel
In January 2015, it was reported that Prince Harry would take on a new role in supporting wounded service personnel by working alongside members of the London District's Personal Recovery Unit for the MOD's Defence Recovery Capability scheme. He also visited The Battle Back Centre and Fisher House UK.
March 2015: Harry visits Phoenix House in Catterick Garrison
In February and March 2015, Prince Harry visited Phoenix House in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, a recovery centre run by Help for Heroes. He also visited Merville Barracks in Colchester where Chavasse VC House Personnel Recovery Centre is located.
March 2015: Harry to leave Armed Forces in June
On 17 March 2015, Kensington Palace announced that Prince Harry would leave the Armed Forces in June. Before his departure, he would spend four weeks in April and May seconded to the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
April 2015: Harry reports for duty with Australian Defence Force
On 6 April 2015, Prince Harry reported for duty to Australia's Chief of the Defence Force at the Royal Military College, Duntroon in Canberra, Australia. He then began his month-long secondment to the ADF's 1st Brigade in Darwin, where he participated in various training exercises, including those with the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) and urban operations training.
May 2015: Farewell Walkabout at Sydney Opera House
On 7 May 2015, Harry made a farewell walkabout at the Sydney Opera House and visited Macquarie University Hospital.
May 2015: Harry's attachment with ADF ends
On 8 May 2015, Prince Harry's attachment with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) came to an end, marking the conclusion of his secondment.
June 2015: Harry resigns his short service commission
On 19 June 2015, Prince Harry officially resigned his short service commission, concluding his active service in the British Armed Forces.
October 2015: Walk of Britain
As patron of Walk of Britain, Harry walked with the team on October 2015.
October 2015: Launch of Invictus Games Orlando 2016
In October 2015, Harry launched the Invictus Games Orlando 2016 with First Lady Michelle Obama and Second Lady Jill Biden at Fort Belvoir.
November 2015: Visit to Lesotho for Sentebale opening
In November 2015, Harry, as patron of Sentebale, traveled 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, Harry made an official visit to South Africa. He visited Cape Town, where he presented the insignia of the Order of the Companions of Honour to the Archbishop on behalf of the Queen. Harry also played the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup, at Val de Vie Estate in Cape Town, fundraising for Sentebale.
2015: Severed Ties with Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz
In 2015, Prince Harry severed ties with Saudi businessman Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz.
2015: Supported England's Bid to Host Rugby World Cup
In 2015, Prince Harry supported England's bid to host rugby union's Rugby World Cup.
January 2016: Took magic mushrooms at Courteney Cox's house
In January 2016, Prince Harry detailed in his memoir that he took magic mushrooms at a party at Courteney Cox's house.
March 2016: Visit to Nepal and Reconstruction Work
From 19–23 March 2016, Harry visited Nepal. He stayed until the end of March 2016 to help rebuild a secondary school with Team Rubicon UK, and visited a Hydropower Project in Central Nepal.
July 2016: Harry begins relationship with Meghan Markle
In mid-July 2016, Prince Harry began a relationship with American actress Meghan Markle after being set up on a blind date by a mutual friend, marking the start of a significant relationship in his life.
July 2016: HIV Test Live
On July 14, 2016, to raise awareness for HIV testing, Harry took a test live on the royal family Facebook page. He later attended the 21st International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa, on July 21, 2016.
January 2017: Visited the Running Charity and Depaul UK
In January 2017, Prince Harry visited the Running Charity and its partner Depaul UK to emphasize the role of sports in assisting homeless and vulnerable individuals.
April 2017: Landmine Free 2025 Reception
In April 2017, 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 first appeared together in public at the Invictus Games in Toronto, solidifying their relationship in the public eye.
November 2017: Harry and Meghan announce engagement
On 27 November 2017, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's engagement was officially announced by Harry's father, generating positive comments about having a mixed-race person as a member of the royal family.
December 2017: Guest Edited BBC Radio 4's Today Programme
In December 2017, Harry guest edited BBC Radio 4's Today programme, conducting interviews on various issues.
December 2017: Harry becomes Captain General Royal Marines
On 19 December 2017, Prince Harry succeeded his grandfather Prince Philip as the Captain General Royal Marines, taking on a significant honorary military appointment.
April 2018: Appointed Commonwealth Youth Ambassador and President of The Queen's Commonwealth Trust
In April 2018, Harry was appointed Commonwealth Youth Ambassador and became the president of The Queen's Commonwealth Trust.
May 2018: Harry promoted to Lieutenant Commander, Major, and Squadron Leader
In May 2018, Prince Harry was promoted to the substantive ranks of Lieutenant Commander of the Royal Navy, Major of the British Army, and Squadron Leader of the Royal Air Force, marking a significant recognition of his service and dedication.
May 2018: Harry and Meghan marry at Windsor Castle
On 19 May 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's marriage ceremony was held at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, marking a significant event in both their lives and the history of the Royal Family.
July 2018: First Overseas Visit as a Couple
In July 2018, Harry travelled to Dublin, Ireland, alongside his wife Meghan, which marked their first overseas visit as a couple.
July 2018: Launch of MenStar Coalition
In July 2018, the Elton John AIDS Foundation announced that Harry and Elton John were about to launch a global coalition called MenStar to focus on treating HIV infections in men.
August 2018: Royal Canadian Legion Founders Award
In August 2018, the Royal Canadian Legion granted Harry the 2018 Founders Award for his role in founding the Invictus Games.
October 2018: RSA Badge in Gold
In October 2018, Harry received the RSA Badge in Gold for his work with injured veterans.
October 2018: Pacific Tour and Invictus Games in Sydney
In October 2018, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex travelled to Sydney for the 2018 Invictus Games, part of a Pacific tour including 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.
April 2019: Documentary Series Announcement
In April 2019, it was announced that Harry was working as co-creator and executive producer on a documentary series about mental health together with Oprah Winfrey.
May 2019: Splash News apologizes to Sussexes for privacy breach
In May 2019, Splash News issued a formal apology to the Sussexes for sending photographers to their Cotswolds residence, compromising their privacy. The agency agreed to pay damages and legal costs.
May 2019: Launch of Shout
In May 2019, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex together with Harry's brother and sister-in-law launched Shout, the UK's first 24/7 text messaging service for those who suffer from mental issues.
June 2019: Harry Left the Charity
In June 2019, Harry left the charity that he and William had set up.
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 to establish their own charity foundation.
June 2019: Royal Family Carbon Footprint Criticized
In June 2019, the royal family, including Prince Harry, faced criticism after it was revealed that they had doubled their carbon footprint from business travel.
June 2019: Neo-Nazis jailed for sharing propaganda targeting Harry
In June 2019, two members of the neo-Nazi group Sonnenkrieg Division were jailed for sharing propaganda posters, one of which labelled Harry as a "race traitor" with a gun pointed at his head.
July 2019: Payments to Royal Official Partner Alleged
In July 2019, payments to royal official partner are alleged, detailing nannying and god-parenting arrangements for Harry and Meghan's son Archie.
August 2019: Criticism for Private Jet Travel
In August 2019, Prince Harry and Meghan faced criticism for taking four private jet journeys in 11 days, including one to Elton John's home in Nice, France.
September 2019: De-mining Site Visit in Angola
In September 2019, Harry walked through a de-mining site in Angola, the same country visited by his mother 22 years earlier.
September 2019: Couple Hired New York-Based PR Firm Sunshine Sachs
In September 2019, it was reported that Harry and his wife hired New York-based PR firm Sunshine Sachs, which represented them until 2022.
September 2019: Launch of Travalyst
In September 2019, the Duke launched Travalyst during his visit to the Netherlands after two years of development, an initiative to encourage sustainable practices in the travel industry.
October 2019: Harry sues newspapers for alleged phone-hacking
In October 2019, Harry sued the Daily Mirror, The Sun, and News of the World for alleged phone-hacking, seeking damages and alleging a prior agreement with the royal family was not honored.
October 2019: "Every Mind Matters" Announcement
In October 2019, along with other members of the royal family, Harry voiced a Public Health England announcement, for the "Every Mind Matters" mental health program.
October 2019: Southern African Tour with Family
In September and October 2019, a Southern African tour included Malawi, Angola, South Africa and Botswana. Because infant son Archie travelled with the Sussexes, this was "their first official tour as a family".
November 2019: Interview with HIV+ Rugby Player
In November 2019, to mark the National HIV Testing Week, the Duke interviewed HIV+ Rugby player Gareth Thomas on behalf of the trust.
2019: Presented Trophy at Challenge Cup Finals
In 2019, Prince Harry presented the trophy at rugby league's Challenge Cup finals.
January 2020: Decision to Step Back
In January 2020, Harry and his wife announced their decision to step back from royal duties.
January 2020: Stepping Down as Working Royals
In January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down as working royals, signaling a major shift in their roles within the British royal family.
January 2020: Megxit announcement prompted by Sun article
In January 2020, The Sun broke the story about Harry and Meghan's plans to move to Canada, which prompted the couple to prematurely announce their stepping back from royal duties.
January 2020: Legal warning issued to press after paparazzi photos published
In January 2020, lawyers issued a legal warning to the press after paparazzi photographs of Harry and Meghan were published in the media.
January 2020: Announcement of stepping back from royal duties
In January 2020, the Duke and Duchess announced that they were stepping back from their role as senior members of the royal family.
January 2020: Stepping back from royal duties
On 18 January 2020, Buckingham Palace announced that Harry and Meghan would step back from royal duties and would no longer use their Royal Highness styles in practice, effective 31 March 2020.
January 2020: Agreement reached for Harry to step back from Royal duties
On 18 January 2020, Buckingham Palace announced that an agreement had been reached for Prince Harry "to step back from Royal duties, including official military appointments", marking a significant change in his role within the Royal Family.
January 2020: Harry pranked by Russian comedians
On New Year's Eve and 22 January 2020, Prince Harry was the subject of a prank by the Russian comedy duo Vovan and Lexus, who posed as climate activist Greta Thunberg and her father during two phone calls.
February 2020: Recorded "Unbroken" with Jon Bon Jovi
In February 2020, Harry recorded a new version of the song "Unbroken" with Jon Bon Jovi.
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 Royal Highness styles
As of 31 March 2020, Harry and Meghan no longer used their Royal Highness styles in practice, following their decision to step back from royal duties. They are still referred to as "His/Her Royal Highness" in legal settings.
March 2020: Couple take Splash UK to court after unauthorized photos
In March 2020, Harry and Meghan took Splash UK to court after the Duchess and their son Archie were photographed without permission during a private family outing in Canada.
March 2020: Final Solo and Couple Engagements as Senior Royals
In March 2020, Harry attended the opening of the Silverstone Experience, his final solo engagement. Harry and Meghan attended the Commonwealth Day service on 9 March 2020, their last engagement as a couple before officially stepping down on 31 March.
March 2020: End of Commonwealth Youth Ambassador Role
In March 2020, Harry's tenure as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador came to an end.
March 2020: Cessation of Canadian Security and Petition in the UK
In March 2020, the Government of Canada announced RCMP security would not be provided to Harry and Meghan after their status changed. A similar petition circulated in the UK.
March 2020: Release of "Unbroken"
In March 2020, the song was released the proceeds of which were donated to the Invictus Games Foundation.
March 2020: Sussexes cease official engagements
On 31 March 2020, the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was officially closed as they ceased "undertaking official engagements in support of the Queen".
April 2020: Duke and Duchess announce non-cooperation with certain media outlets
In April 2020, Harry and Meghan announced that they would no longer cooperate with the Daily Mail, The Sun, the Mirror, and the Express.
April 2020: Launch of HeadFIT
In April 2020, Harry launched a new initiative named HeadFIT, a platform designed to provide mental support for members of the armed forces.
April 2020: Archewell Foundation Announced
In April 2020, Meghan and Harry announced that their new foundation would be called "Archewell", inspired by the Greek word "arche".
June 2020: Signed with Harry Walker Agency
In June 2020, Harry and Meghan signed with the Harry Walker Agency to conduct paid public speaking engagements.
June 2020: Harry's lawyers threaten legal action against The Sun
In June 2020, Harry's lawyers issued a 'letter before action', threatening to sue The Sun and Dan Wootton over allegations that they paid associates of palace officials for stories. The payments were allegedly for stories about Archie's nannying and god-parenting arrangements.
June 2020: Harry and Meghan buy a house in Montecito
In June 2020, after some months in Canada and the United States, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, bought a house on the former estate of Riven Rock in Montecito, California.
June 2020: Backed Stop Hate for Profit Campaign
In June 2020, the Duke and Duchess backed the Stop Hate for Profit campaign and encouraged CEOs of different companies to join the movement.
August 2020: Sussex Royal Foundation Renamed and Dissolved
On August 5, 2020, the Sussex Royal Foundation was renamed "MWX Foundation" and dissolved the same day.
September 2020: Legal Complaint Issued over Article About Invictus Games Fundraiser
In September 2020, Harry issued a legal complaint over a Times article claiming an Invictus Games fundraiser was cancelled due to its affiliation with a competitor of Netflix.
September 2020: Harry and Meghan release video on US election
In September 2020, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan released a video addressing American voters, encouraging them to "reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity" in the upcoming 2020 United States presidential election.
September 2020: Commercial Deal with Netflix
In September 2020, the Sussexes signed a private commercial deal with Netflix to produce content.
October 2020: Archewell Website Launched
In October 2020, the Archewell website was officially launched.
December 2020: Sued Associated Newspapers Limited
In December 2020, Prince Harry's legal team sued Associated Newspapers Limited for publishing a false story about his relationship with the Royal Marines.
2020: Incorporation of Companies and Trust
Beginning in early 2020, Harry and Meghan incorporated 11 companies and a trust including Orinoco Publishing LLC and Peca Publishing LLC to hold the rights for their books as well as Cobblestone Lane LLC and IPHW LLC which are holders of their foundation's logos.
February 2021: Harry relinquishes honorary military appointments
In February 2021, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Prince Harry would give up his position as Captain General Royal Marines and hand back all other honorary military appointments, formalizing his withdrawal from these roles.
February 2021: Resigned as President of The Queen's Commonwealth Trust
In February 2021, Harry resigned as president of The Queen's Commonwealth Trust.
February 2021: Honorary military appointments returned
In February 2021, Harry's honorary military appointments were returned to Elizabeth II.
March 2021: Oprah Interview
In March 2021, Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah Winfrey was broadcast. Meghan discussed marriage and public life, while Harry talked about their move to the United States, criticised his father's parenting, and mentioned his strained relationships with his father and brother.
March 2021: Becomes Chief Impact Officer at BetterUp
In March 2021, Harry became the first chief impact officer at BetterUp, a mental health start-up.
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 organisation regarding its conduct under charity law during dissolution.
March 2021: End of Review Period
In March 2021, the formal role of the Duke and Duchess was subject to a twelve-month review period.
April 2021: Campaign Chairs for Vax Live
In April 2021, Harry and Meghan were announced as campaign chairs for Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World, an event organised by Global Citizen to increase access to COVID-19 vaccinations.
May 2021: Support for Peak State
In May 2021, Harry lent his support to Peak State, a mental fitness programme aimed at providing tools and resources for managing mental health.
May 2021: Podcast appearance and First Amendment comments
In May 2021, Prince Harry appeared on the Armchair Expert podcast and discussed the First Amendment in the United States, calling it "bonkers". His comments drew criticism from conservative figures.
May 2021: Release of "The Me You Can't See"
The documentary series "The Me You Can't See", co-created and executive produced by Harry and Oprah Winfrey, was released on May 21, 2021.
June 2021: Statement on HALO Trust Attack
In June 2021, after ten members of the HALO Trust were killed by an armed group at a mine clearance camp in Afghanistan, Harry issued a statement condemning the attack.
June 2021: Dispute over Lilibet's name
In June 2021, despite palace congratulations on the birth of Harry and Meghan's daughter Lilibet, the BBC reported that the couple did not seek the Queen's permission to use her nickname. The couple's lawyers accused the BBC of defamation.
July 2021: Change Champions Award
In July 2021, Harry and Meghan received the Change Champions Award from Population Matters for deciding to have only two children to help maintain a smaller population.
July 2021: Memoir Publishing Deal
In July 2021, it was announced that Harry was set to publish his memoir Spare via Penguin Random House, reportedly earning an advance of at least $20 million.
August 2021: Backlash for Private Jet Flight to Polo Tournament
In August 2021, Prince Harry received backlash for taking a private jet flight to participate in a charity polo tournament.
September 2021: Start of Legal Fight Over Police Protection
In September 2021, Harry began a legal fight over the Home Office's refusal to allow him to pay for police protection in the UK.
September 2021: Virtual event for the Warrior Games
In September 2021, Prince Harry, along with First Lady Jill Biden, hosted a virtual event for the Warrior Games, which had been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
October 2021: Bot Sentinel report on Twitter activity
In October 2021, Bot Sentinel released a report analyzing negative tweets about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, attributing a significant portion of the content to a small number of accounts. This led to an investigation by Twitter.
October 2021: Partnership with Ethic Announced
In October 2021, Harry and Meghan announced their partnership with Ethic, a sustainable investment firm.
October 2021: Spoke Against Oil Drilling
In October 2021, Prince Harry voiced his opposition against oil drilling in the Okavango River, expressing his concerns in an op-ed for The Washington Post.
November 2021: Claims of warning Twitter CEO about potential unrest
In November 2021, Harry stated at a Wired conference that he emailed Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey a day before the January 6th Capitol attack, warning of potential civil unrest, but received no response.
November 2021: Knauf's statement on Sussexes' involvement with "Finding Freedom"
In November 2021, Jason Knauf, Harry and Meghan's former communications secretary, gave a statement to the court indicating Meghan directly provided briefing points for the book "Finding Freedom" and Harry welcomed concealing their involvement in the book's creation.
November 2021: Publication of Aspen Institute's Report
In November 2021, the Aspen Institute's Commission on Information Disorder published its report with 15 recommendations, for which Harry was a commissioner.
December 2021: "CBE Scandal" and Severed Ties
In December 2021, Prince Harry addressed the "CBE scandal" involving Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz, stating he severed ties in 2015 due to "growing concerns".
2021: Harry stepped down from London Marathon Charitable Trust
In 2021 Harry stepped down from the London Marathon Charitable Trust.
2021: Travalyst and Google Partnership
In 2021 the organization Travalyst, founded by Harry, announced a partnership with Google.
2021: Featured on Time 100 Cover
In 2021, Prince Harry and Meghan were featured on one of Time magazine's seven worldwide Time 100 covers and also named as one of the 100 Most Influential People.
January 2022: Couple files legal complaint against The Times
In January 2022, Harry and Meghan jointly filed a legal complaint against The Times for an article reporting that Archewell raised less than $50,000 in 2020.
January 2022: RAVEC Decision on Harry's Security
In January 2022, RAVEC decided that State security could not be made available to private individuals, even if they wished to pay for it, which led to Harry challenging the decision.
January 2022: Reports of Legal Fight Over Police Protection
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 in the UK.
January 2022: Harry and Meghan's images used in scams
In January 2022, the BBC reported that Harry and Meghan's photos were used in fake advertisements promoting investment schemes.
February 2022: NAACP President's Award
In February 2022, Harry and Meghan received the NAACP's President's Award for their work on social justice and equity.
February 2022: Harry files libel suit against ANL
In February 2022, Harry filed a libel suit against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) over a Mail on Sunday article alleging he tried to keep his legal battle for police protection secret.
March 2022: Signed Open Letter for Vaccine Access
In March 2022, Prince Harry and his wife were among over a hundred signatories of an open letter by the People's Vaccine Alliance, advocating for free global access to COVID-19 vaccines, criticizing the UK, EU, and Switzerland for opposing a waiver on vaccine intellectual property protections.
March 2022: High Court Ruling on Confidentiality
In March 2022, the High Court ruled that some parts of Harry's case regarding police protection would remain confidential and reacted negatively when his legal team sent the ruling to someone who was not a lawyer.
April 2022: Interview with Hoda Kotb
In April 2022, Harry was interviewed by Hoda Kotb during the Invictus Games and stated he wanted to make sure that the Queen was protected.
April 2022: Launched Eco-Travel Campaign
In April 2022, Prince Harry launched an eco-travel campaign through his non-profit Travalyst, encouraging sustainable travel in a video featuring Rhys Darby and Dave Fane on Māori Television.
April 2022: Criticism of BetterUp
In April 2022, reports emerged of criticism by the company's coaches over the new metrics placed for evaluating their services and over the opacity surrounding Harry's actual role in the firm.
June 2022: First Official Appearance in the UK Since Stepping Down
In June 2022, Harry and Meghan made their first official appearance in the UK since stepping down, attending the Platinum Jubilee National Service of Thanksgiving.
June 2022: Reaction to Supreme Court abortion decision
In June 2022, Meghan described Harry's reaction to the Supreme Court's decision on abortion rights as "guttural".
June 2022: Court rules parts of article potentially defamatory
In June 2022, Mr Justice Nicklin ruled that parts of the Mail on Sunday article were potentially defamatory in the libel suit filed by Harry, though he rejected claims that the article portrayed Harry as a liar.
July 2022: Condemnation of abortion decision at the United Nations
In July 2022, Harry condemned the Supreme Court's abortion decision as a "rolling back of constitutional rights" during a speech at the United Nations on Mandela Day.
July 2022: Permission Granted for Judicial Review
In July 2022, Mr Justice Swift granted permission for part of Harry's claim to proceed for a judicial review in his case against the Home Office.
August 2022: Harry Files Lawsuit Against Home Office
In August 2022, Harry filed a lawsuit against the Home Office and the Metropolitan Police, challenging RAVEC's decision that state security couldn't be provided to private individuals even if they paid for it.
September 2022: Visit to UK and Germany for charity events and Queen Elizabeth II's death
In September 2022, the Sussexes visited the UK and Germany for charity events. On 8 September 2022, Queen Elizabeth II died while Harry and Meghan were in London, and they remained in the United Kingdom for her funeral.
October 2022: Ripple of Hope Award
In October 2022, Harry and Meghan were named Ripple of Hope Award laureates for their work on racial justice, mental health, and social initiatives through Archewell.
October 2022: Duke of Sussex joins legal action against ANL
In October 2022, Harry joined Doreen Lawrence, Sir Elton John, and others in launching a legal action against ANL for alleged "abhorrent criminal activity" including phone hacking and obtaining private information.
December 2022: Harry & Meghan Docuseries Premiered on Netflix
Harry & Meghan, a docuseries about the Sussexes, produced by Netflix and the couple's Archewell Productions, premiered on December 8, 2022.
December 2022: Release of "Harry & Meghan" Netflix docuseries
In December 2022, "Harry & Meghan", a Netflix docuseries featuring Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, was released, providing an inside look into their lives and experiences.
December 2022: 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.
January 2023: Interviews ahead of memoir release
In January 2023, Harry participated in multiple interviews to promote his memoir, Spare. He expressed a desire to reconcile with his father and brother, and accused some family members of collaborating with the press.
January 2023: Trial Set for Harry's Lawsuit Against Mirror Group Newspapers
In January 2023, a High Court judge ruled that Harry's lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), along with other similar lawsuits, would proceed to trial in May 2023.
January 2023: Publication of "Spare"
On January 10, 2023, Harry's memoir, Spare, was officially published and became the UK's fastest selling non-fiction book.
February 2023: High Court Ruling on Security Case
In February 2023, a High Court judge initially ruled that Harry's security case should be thrown out, a decision which his legal team later appealed.
March 2023: Gabor Maté's public assessment
In March 2023, physician Gabor Maté suggested in a live-streamed interview that Harry could be suffering from PTSD, ADD, anxiety, and depression, based on his observations and Harry's autobiography, Spare.
March 2023: Heritage Foundation sends dossier on drug use
In March 2023, the Heritage Foundation sent a dossier regarding Harry's past drug use to government entities, questioning his U.S. visa application.
April 2023: Inconsistencies found in Harry's claim
In April 2023, a High Court judge noted inconsistencies in Harry's phone-hacking claim, including the timeline of when he became aware of the full scale of the issue and his failure to mention an alleged agreement between the publisher and the palace.
May 2023: Harry Loses Legal Challenge for Police Protection
In May 2023, Harry lost the legal challenge, resulting in him not being allowed to make private payments for police protection.
May 2023: MGN Apologizes for Unlawful Information Gathering
In May 2023, at the beginning of the trial, MGN apologized for one instance of unlawful information gathering against Harry, acknowledging that his legal challenge warranted compensation.
June 2023: Criticism of UK government in court statement
In June 2023, Harry criticized the UK government in his witness statement to a court, arguing that the press was too closely aligned with the government.
June 2023: Harry Testifies in Court
In June 2023, Harry testified in court, accusing former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan of personal attacks and alleging his phone had been hacked since his time at Eton. This marked the first time a royal had been cross-examined in court since 1891.
June 2023: Spotify Cancels Archetypes Deal
In June 2023, Spotify announced they would not proceed with the deal, cancelling Archetypes which had run for a single season of 12 episodes.
June 2023: Cost of Legal Fight Revealed
In June 2023, a Freedom of Information request revealed that Harry's legal fight with the Home Office had cost £502,236.
July 2023: Phone-hacking claims dismissed for being made too late
In July 2023, the judge ruled that Harry's phone-hacking claims were dismissed for being made too late, but part of his case involving allegations of illegal information gathering would go to trial.
November 2023: Court rules Harry's case against ANL can proceed
In November 2023, Mr Justice Nicklin ruled that the case brought by Harry and other claimants against ANL could proceed, but unpublished material provided to the Leveson Inquiry was inadmissible as proof.
November 2023: Named Global Ambassador for Scotty's Little Soldiers
In November 2023, Prince Harry became the global ambassador for Scotty's Little Soldiers, one of the seven charities he and his wife suggested for wedding gifts.
December 2023: Judge rejects Harry's motion to dismiss ANL's defence
In December 2023, a judge rejected Harry's motion to dismiss ANL's defence in the libel suit and ordered the case to proceed to trial. Harry was also ordered to pay Mail on Sunday £48,447 in legal costs.
December 2023: High Court Rules in Harry's Favor
In December 2023, the High Court ruled in favor of Harry, finding that MGN was guilty of phone hacking in 15 of the 33 sample stories and awarded him £140,600 in damages. The court also concluded that Piers Morgan and other editors were aware of the phone hacking.
2023: Harry Appointed as Member of African Parks
In 2023 Harry was appointed a member of its board of directors for African Parks.
2023: Named One of People's Most Intriguing People
In 2023, People named Prince Harry as one of the "25 Most Intriguing People of the Year", also named as one of Hollywood losers of 2023 by James Hibberd of The Hollywood Reporter .
2023: Satirized on South Park
In 2023, Prince Harry and Meghan's exit from the royal family was satirized in an episode of South Park.
January 2024: Neo-Nazis Sentenced for Threatening Harry and Archie
In January 2024, Christopher Gibbons and Tyrone Patten-Walsh, two neo-Nazis, received prison sentences between 8 and 11 years for terrorism, including calling for the deaths of Harry and his son Archie on their podcast.
January 2024: Induction into the Living Legends of Aviation
In January 2024, Harry was inducted into the Living Legends of Aviation.
January 2024: Harry withdraws libel claim
In January 2024, 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, Harry settled his remaining claim with MGN, with the publisher agreeing to cover his legal costs and pay damages reported to be in the region of £300,000.
February 2024: High Court Rules Against Harry in Home Office Case
In February 2024, the High Court ruled against Harry in his case against the Home Office, upholding RAVEC's decision on his security arrangements.
March 2024: Named in Lawsuit Against P. Diddy
In March 2024, Prince Harry was mentioned in a lawsuit against P. Diddy regarding allegations of sexual trafficking, as a celebrity associate.
March 2024: U.S. government ordered to hand over visa details
In March 2024, a U.S. court ordered the government to hand over Harry's visa application details, following a request from the Heritage Foundation.
April 2024: Harry Loses Initial Appeal Against Security Ruling
In April 2024, Harry lost an initial attempt to appeal against the ruling regarding his security arrangements, and was held liable for 90% of the Home Office's legal costs.
April 2024: New Shows with Netflix
In April 2024, it was announced that Archewell Productions is working with Netflix to produce two new shows – on lifestyle and on polo.
May 2024: Visit to Nigeria
In May 2024, Harry and Meghan visited Nigeria to honour the work of the Invictus Games, focusing on sports rehabilitation, mental health, and women's empowerment.
May 2024: Permission to Challenge High Court's Decision
In May 2024, Harry was given permission by the Court of Appeal to challenge the High Court's decision regarding his security arrangements.
May 2024: Harry refused permission to include claims against Rupert Murdoch
In May 2024, Mr Justice Fancourt refused Harry the permission to include claims against Rupert Murdoch, expand his case's scope back to 1994 and 1995 to cover allegations involving his mother or to add new allegations from 2016 involving his then-girlfriend Meghan.
September 2024: Case regarding Harry's visa closed
In September 2024, the Heritage Foundation's case regarding Harry's visa was closed due to sealed orders and a sealed memorandum opinion.
October 2024: Judge announces two sides should either 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.
January 2025: Settlement reached in phone hacking case
In January 2025, Harry and NGN (News Group Newspapers) settled the phone hacking case, with NGN paying over £10 million in payouts and legal fees. NGN issued an apology for "serious intrusion" by The Sun and News of the World, admitting to unlawful activity by private investigators, but denying journalist involvement.
February 2025: Court appearance mandated in visa case
In February 2025, attorneys for Harry and the Heritage Foundation are mandated to appear before a federal court in Washington, D.C., regarding the visa case.
2025: Landmine Free 2025
In April 2017, Harry hosted the Landmine Free 2025 reception at Kensington Palace. In 2025, the initiative aims to rid the world of landmines.
