Prince Harry Declares, Revealing Why Staying In the U.S. With Meghan Markle Is Now His Forever Choice

Prince Harry last night revealed that he and wife Meghan Markle have no plans to return to the United Kingdom with Archie and Lilibet.

The Duke of Sussex, 40, opened up about his desire to stay in the United States at the annual DealBook Summit live in New York on Wednesday.

It was there that the prince said security was a factor for his and Meghan’s decision to stay put for the time being – as well as their children’s future.

The Sussexes have called Montecito, California home since the summer of 2020 – after they fled the UK and the Royal Family.

The Times reported Prince Harry told the summit on Wednesday: ‘I very much enjoy living here and bringing up my kids here.’

The Duke added that there are also activities he can do with young Archie, five, and three-year-old Lilibet that he ‘undoubtedly wouldn’t be able to do in the UK’.

Harry said he was focused on ‘being the best husband and the best dad that I can be’, too.

And as the duke was on stage, Meghan sent a message of support to guests at a charity’s carol concert in central London.

Prince Harry on Wednesday revealed that he and wife Meghan Markle have zero plans to leave the US

The Duke of Sussex and Meghan relocated to California in 2020. Pictured this year in Nigeria

Prince Harry said of life in the US: ‘I very much enjoy living here and bringing up my kids here’

The Duchess wished attendees a Merry Christmas ‘from my family to yours’.

During last night’s summit, Harry spoke at length about children.

He revealed he did not support the move to ban social media for children, stating that doing so ‘creates all sort of problems’.

Harry said a social media ban for kids didn’t make sense because taking it away could lead to family rows and playground bullying.

He did, however, state that social media companies should be subject to greater transparency and accountability.

Earlier this evening, it was revealed that Meghan had sent a message of support to guests at a charity’s carol concert in central London.

Meghan’s remarks were shared in the programme for UK charity Smart Works’ carol service at St Marylebone Parish Church on Tuesday.

Smart Works helps unemployed women with clothing and coaching to secure employment, and the duchess has been a patron of the charity since 2019.

He shares son Archie, five, and daughter Lilibet, three, with wife Meghan

Meghan (pictured in 2019) also sent a message of support to guests at a charity’s carol concert on Wednesday evening in central London, wishing attendees a Merry Christmas ‘from my family to yours’

Meghan’s remarks were shared in the programme for UK charity Smart Works’ carol service at St Marylebone Parish Church on Tuesday

According to an image of the programme shared by People magazine, Meghan said: ‘As proud patron, it is my pleasure to warmly welcome you all this evening to the Smart Works Carol Concert.

‘Tonight promises to be a truly magical celebration, filled with special guests and performers, and most importantly, the shared spirit of community that defines Smart Works.

‘Together we gather to honour the work and dedication of this remarkable organisation, which continues to empower women across the UK through coaching, dressing and instilling confidence on their journey to employment.

‘Thank you for giving your support by being here in St Marylebone Parish Church, under the beautiful haze of Christmas wreaths and candlelight.’

She continued: ‘In a year where the landscape for women in the workplace has continued to shift, Smart Works has stood as a steadfast source of encouragement. Their service is more than rediscovering employment, it is rediscovering empowerment.

‘As Smart Works continues to uplift the community, I hope you will continue to support them. I hope you enjoy the festivities, and, from my family to yours, I wish you a very Merry Christmas.’

Other famous faces were involved in the service, with actress and comedian Jennifer Saunders doing a reading and X Factor winner Alexandra Burke performing Hallelujah.

After the service, Burke wrote on her Instagram story: ‘What a special night. Proud to be an ambassador for @smartworkscharity.’

Earlier today, it was revealed that Harry has secured the services of his neighbor Katy Perry to sing at the opening night of his Invictus Games, which will take place on February 8, 2025.

The Grammy nominated star will headline the opening of the event for disabled military veterans in Vancouver, Canada.

Katy is by far the biggest star to appear at the bi-annual event attended by Harry and his wife Meghan.

She and her partner actor, British actor Orlando Bloom, are close neighbors of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Montecito, California.

The couple were among the guests invited to the third birthday party for Harry and Meghan’s daughter Lilibet at their mansion in the swanky Californian enclave favored by many A-list stars.

The Invictus Games will be the first major event Harry and Meghan have attended together after reports emerged they were going their separate ways in engagements.

Harry and Meghan, 43, stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and moved to the US in June that year.

Since Harry and Meghan resigned from the Royal Family, the couple have spoken about how the Firm could have done more to support Meghan during her time in the UK.

In their Netflix series, Meghan detailed her first meeting with the Prince and Princess of Wales – and how she was ‘surprised’ to learn the Royal Family’s formality continued behind closed doors.

She said: ‘Even when Will and Kate came over and I was meeting her for the first time I remember I was in ripped jeans, I was barefoot.

‘Like I was a hugger, I have always been a hugger I didn’t realize that is really jarring for a lot of Brits.

‘I started to understand that the formality on the outside carried through on the inside, that there is a forward facing way of being and then you close the door and think ‘OK we can relax now.’

‘But that formality carries over on both sides and that was surprising to me.’

In Prince Harry’s biography Spare, the Duke claimed the Princess of Wales was ‘put on edge’ by Meghan’s arrival and how she would be ‘forced to compete’ with the actress.

In their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan revealed she began experiencing suicidal thoughts while she was pregnant with Archie in 2019 and was not given the support she needed.