Prince Harry has responded to rumors that he is divorcing Meghan Markle as speculation intensified over recent months.
The couple got married in 2018 in what was a highly televised ceremony, but their relationship has long been the subject of intrigue.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle share two children together. Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty
Rumors have been rampant for years that Prince Harry doesn’t see eye to eye with his family, and this was fueled more when he opted to relocate to the US.
A bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey opened a further can of worms after the Prince alleged that a racist remark was made about his then-unborn child with Meghan.
Given that the couple is so divisive, rumors of their alleged separation have sparked intrigue – and the Prince has now tackled them head-on, as reported by the Independent.
The gossip, which has gained momentum in recent weeks, stems from the couple’s increasing appearances at separate professional events.
Prince Harry publicly dismissed rumors of marital troubles with Meghan during an appearance at The New York Times’ 2024 DealBook Summit on Wednesday.
During the event, New York Times columnist and DealBook founder Andrew Ross Sorkin brought up the intense public interest in Harry’s personal life.
Prince Harry has denied that he is separating from his wife. Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty
“I Google News-ed you, and there were people fascinated by everything you’re doing, all the time. They’re fascinated by Meghan is in California right now, and you’re here,” Sorkin noted, referencing Markle’s attendance at the Paley Honors gala in Beverly Hills on the same evening.
“And there’s articles left and right about, you know, ‘Why are you making, doing independent events? Why aren’t you doing them together?’” Sorkin added.
Prince Harry provided a lighthearted explanation. “Because you invited me, you should have known!” he said, prompting laughter from the audience.
Sorkin continued, asking whether such constant scrutiny was ever beneficial. The Prince replied: “No, that’s definitely not a good thing.”
He went on to mock the persistent falsehoods about his life.
“Apparently we’ve bought or moved house 10, 12 times. We’ve apparently divorced maybe 10, 12 times as well. So it’s just like, what?” he said, laughing.
The Prince is often scrutinized by various media outlets. Credit: Eugene Gologursky/Getty
Harry also expressed sympathy for online trolls who eagerly anticipate negative developments in his personal life.
“Their hopes are just built and built, and it’s like, ‘Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes,’ and then it doesn’t happen. So I feel sorry for them. Genuinely, I do.”
Drawing from his experiences growing up in the spotlight, Harry touched on the challenges of navigating a life under constant media scrutiny.
Reflecting on the impact of the press on his late mother, Princess Diana, and his own life, Harry said: “I’ve seen stories written about myself that aren’t exactly based on reality. I’ve seen stories about members of my family, friends, strangers, all sorts of people.
“When you grow up within that environment, you do find yourself questioning the validity of the information but also what other people are thinking of that as well, and how dangerous it can be over the course of time,” he added.
Despite the swirling rumors, Harry emphasized his commitment to his family and his charitable work through the Archewell Foundation. The couple’s initiatives include efforts to enhance online safety for children.
“My main goal is being the best husband and dad that I can be,” Harry said.
The Prince concluded his appearance by acknowledging the likelihood of further media distortion following his remarks.
“No doubt this will be spun or twisted somehow against me, and maybe you yourself will be trolled relentlessly,” he told Sorkin.
“For that, I can only apologize, but you did invite me, so it’s not my fault,” he joked.