But, recently, he has made no secret of his wish to reconcile with the King, despite conflicting narratives emerging from their respective camps about who is rebuffing whom.
Harry dropped everything and rushed to his father’s side when he learnt of his cancer – and since then, he has made an unannounced visit to the UK to attend the funeral of his uncle, Lord Fellowes.
The trips show the prince is keen to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with his family. The funeral was the first time he and William had been in the same room together this year – but even then, the pair didn’t speak, it was reported.
However, it is clear that Harry is still supported by the Spencers – his mother’s relatives – at a time when he is rarely seen with his father’s side of the family.
Family life in California
In Montecito, California, he hosts new friends at his and Meghan’s nine-bedroom home and is seen occasionally going out for dinner at the local steakhouse or upmarket Italian restaurant.
Harry has achieved part of what he set out to do at 30: finding someone with whom to settle down and build a life. He is now half of one of the most famous marriages in the world.
He has become a doting father of two: Prince Archie is five and at school, while the three-year-old Princess Lilibet has “found her voice”, according to Meghan.
The family’s domestic life is marked by idyllic days on the beach, walking the dogs, kite-flying on the lawn, bike rides and school runs in the Californian sunshine.
Birthday party
A 40th birthday party, on some scale, will happen in California, with his wife and children at the centre of it.
As for whether he is happy and settled, his transition to that stratospheric celebrity status in the US has seen him firefighting constant gossip, while also fuelling that gossip with his own accusations and revelations.
Those close to him maintain that, despite the ongoing rifts with family back in Britain, Harry is incredibly happy and is determined to look forward, not back.
We are told that, as he enters his fifth decade, Harry is as committed as ever to the Sussexes’ mission: show up, do good.
He no longer wants to dwell on past grievances – so, at 40, can he focus on the future he wants?
The Telegraph, London