Prince Harry is facing a fresh wave of royal criticism as experts warn the Duke of Sussex is stuck in the past and there’s no sign he’s ready to move forward. A royal editor has now publicly urged Harry to “wrench his neck around” and finally stop looking back at what could have been.
In a candid discussion with Fox News Digital, Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for The Sunday Times, shared a blunt assessment of Harry’s current state of mind. She recalled a telling comment made by a former royal adviser, who summed up the Duke’s mindset in just one striking line.
“All he does is spend time looking back,” the adviser reportedly said. “If only he could wrench his neck around and look forward.”
Nikkhah didn’t sugarcoat her response. “I don’t see that happening at all,” she admitted. “I don’t think it’s wanted by him, and it’s certainly not wanted by the royal family.”
Her statement adds fuel to ongoing speculation that Prince Harry, once considered one of the most beloved figures in the British royal family, is now permanently cut off from any return to royal life. His and Meghan Markle’s controversial 2020 exit—widely known as Megxit—created a lasting rift that has only deepened with time.
Nikkhah emphasized that the terms of their departure were clear: “The whole point of [the Duke and Duchess of Sussex] leaving was that… the late Queen agreed you can’t be half in, half out.”
This was a direct reference to the deal struck between the couple and Queen Elizabeth II, in which they agreed to forgo official royal duties in exchange for pursuing private ventures. But since then, Harry’s public comments—including interviews, documentaries, and his explosive memoir Spare—have only widened the gap between him and his family.
The royal expert added that despite some public curiosity, there is no interest from Buckingham Palace in inviting Harry back into the fold—not even part-time.
“I don’t think he wants to be back in the U.K. doing official royal duties,” Nikkhah said. “Would he sometimes like to maybe join the family at events? Possibly. But I don’t think there’s any desire on either side for him to come back to do royal duties again.”
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This growing sentiment comes as Prince Harry continues to make headlines from across the Atlantic. Though he and Meghan Markle have settled into their California lifestyle—complete with multi-million dollar deals and Hollywood connections—they remain two of the most searched royals in the world.
Still, this level of public interest has done little to mend relationships behind palace doors. Royal insiders say that Harry’s reluctance to “look forward” is part of what’s preventing any possible reconciliation. Many believe his repeated public criticisms of the monarchy, especially regarding Prince William and King Charles, have permanently burned bridges.
In recent years, Harry has only made rare appearances at major royal events—often solo and under heavy media scrutiny. His role at King Charles’ coronation, for example, was brief and distant, both physically and emotionally. The distance between him and the rest of the royal family is now more than just geographical.
As the Duke of Sussex tries to carve out a new path, the question remains: can he ever truly escape the shadow of his royal past?
So far, signs point to no. Despite his fame and fortune, many observers say Harry remains emotionally tethered to the institution he tried so hard to leave behind.
In the world of British royal family news, where image, loyalty, and legacy reign supreme, Prince Harry’s struggle to move on has become one of the most watched and talked-about dramas. And if the latest expert takes are any indication, the monarchy has already turned the page—even if Harry hasn’t.
