Prince Harry returns to the U.S. within a month of relocating to Britain with Meghan Markle
Prince Harry returned to the U.S. less than a month after relocating to Britain with Meghan Markle and their two children, appearing in New York for the Clinton Global Initiative’s 2026 Annual Meeting.
The Duke of Sussex was seen in Midtown Manhattan on Tuesday before speaking at the event, where he addressed the rapid development of artificial intelligence and its potential impact on children.
Harry and Meghan returned to Britain in August after six years in California.
Harry raises concerns about AI and children
During his appearance, Harry cautioned against adopting new technology without establishing adequate safeguards.
“If we cannot demonstrate that the next frontier is safe enough to cross, we should not race across it simply because we can,” he said.
Harry also discussed the relationship between children and AI, noting that the technology could do more than simply compete for their attention.
“Social media learned how to capture our attention. AI is learning how to enter our relationships. It doesn’t just want your attention, it wants your attachment,” he said.
He added that children could be especially vulnerable to that shift, saying, “We cannot wait another decade to discover what happens when technology has a grip on their relationships.”
A technical issue with Harry’s teleprompter briefly interrupted his speech. When he resumed, he joked, “AI got into my speech so I was asked to come out and finish it.”
His return comes after U.K. appearances
Harry’s New York visit follows several public engagements in Britain, including events related to the Invictus Games and the WellChild Awards.
On Monday, he attended the WellChild Awards in London and became emotional while speaking about parents of seriously ill children.
“To all the mums and dads—most of us will never truly know the emotional ups and downs of your day,” Harry said.
His return to Britain has brought complications. The Sussexes did not expect Buckingham Palace to send a letter clarifying that they are “private citizens” rather than working royals.
Their children were also moved from their U.K. school last week due to security concerns related to traffic during the school run.
Harry and Meghan still have U.S. ties
Despite relocating to Britain, Harry and Meghan have kept their Montecito home, where they lived after stepping back from royal duties and moving to California in 2020.
Harry’s latest trip to New York demonstrates that his work in the U.S. remains part of his public life, even as his family settles in Britain.
Meghan has not yet attended a public event in the U.K. since the move.
Harry’s appearance coincides with his uncle Earl Spencer receiving significant attention for his memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister.
Earl Spencer’s memoir keeps royal tensions in focus
The book has attracted attention for its claims about Princess Diana, including Spencer’s account of a conversation with King Charles III after her death.
Spencer wrote that Charles sounded “giddily elated” during a phone call and described a separate dispute about whether Harry and William should walk behind their mother’s coffin.
Buckingham Palace issued a rare response to the claims. A spokesperson said the King is “mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and color memory in ways others do not recognize, even many years after such a loss.”
The memoir has also prompted a legal threat from Piers Morgan, who says Spencer incorrectly linked him to the publication of photographs of Diana inside a private gym in 1993. Spencer has apologized for the error, but Morgan says he still intends to pursue legal action against Spencer and publisher Penguin.