If you’ve scrolled through your feed lately, you’ve probably seen the headlines. They’re everywhere. Rumors about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex hitting the rocks have become a sort of internet white noise. But with the start of 2026 bringing a flurry of solo trips and distinct career pivots, the question are prince harry and meghan markle separated is being asked with a lot more intensity than usual.
The short answer? No. At least not legally or officially.
But the long answer is a bit more nuanced. Honestly, it’s complicated. While the couple remains very much married and living together in their Montecito home, 2026 has ushered in what many are calling a "professional separation." They aren't filing for divorce, but they are definitely carving out lives that don't always overlap at the office.
Why the "Are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Separated" Rumors Won't Die
People love a drama. It’s the royal way. The latest spark for the fire came just before Christmas, when Harry headed off on a boys' skiing trip to Colorado for the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship. Meghan stayed back in California with Archie and Lilibet. Then, just last week, Harry was spotted visiting fire stations in Santa Barbara with the CEO of Watch Duty, once again solo.
When you don’t see a couple together for three or four public events in a row, the internet starts writing the obituary for the marriage. It’s predictable.
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The Professional Split
The biggest change is how they work. Gone are the days of the "joint brand" being the only thing they do.
- Meghan’s World: She’s leaned hard into her lifestyle brand, As Ever, and her Netflix series With Love, Meghan. She’s sitting front row at Paris Fashion Week and focusing on her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder.
- Harry’s World: He’s still the Invictus guy. He’s focused on global security, veterans, and—more recently—a very clear desire to reconnect with his roots in the UK.
According to royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams, they have "deeply divided priorities" right now. Harry wants to fix things with King Charles and spend more time in London. Meghan? Not so much. She hasn't been back to the UK since 2022, and sources close to her say she has zero interest in returning to a place where she felt so unsupported.
The January 2026 "Reset"
Despite the "heading for divorce" tabloids, the couple actually made a joint appearance just a few days ago. On January 8, 2026, they hopped on a video call with Gayle King for an Oprah Daily event. They looked fine. They were talking about the dangers of "phone-based childhoods"—a cause they’ve both championed through Archewell Philanthropies.
Their dog, Pula, even crashed the call. It didn't look like a couple on the brink of a legal split. Harry was laughing about the dog chewing a stick, and Meghan was wearing that $18,700 Cartier necklace she loves.
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If they were truly separated, would they be sitting on the same sofa in Montecito, tag-teaming questions about child safety? Probably not. It felt more like a deliberate "reset" to show the world they’re still a team, even if they aren't glued at the hip for every charity gala or polo match.
The UK Dilemma: A Real Stress Test
If anything is going to cause a rift, it’s the "British Question."
Harry is currently fighting for his police protection to be reinstated in the UK. If he wins that legal battle, he loses his biggest excuse for not bringing the kids to see their grandfather. Reports from earlier this month suggest this is a "huge test" for the marriage. Harry sees 2026 as a pivotal year to mend fences with the King. Meghan, understandably, is wary.
The distance between Montecito and London isn't just about miles; it's about two completely different visions for the future. Harry wants to be a global statesman with ties to his home. Meghan is building an American empire.
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What the Experts Say
Most reputable experts, including those at The Mirror and People, suggest that while the marriage is under strain—whose isn't after six years and two kids?—there is no evidence of a formal separation. The "split" is strategic. By having separate careers, they actually protect their joint brand from being "exhausted," as some PR experts put it.
The rumors are "nothing new" to Harry. He actually joked about it at a book event in New York back in late 2024, saying they’d supposedly "divorced 10 or 12 times" according to the papers. He’s used to it.
Actionable Insights for Royal Watchers
If you’re trying to keep track of what's real and what's tabloid fodder, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Archewell Philanthropies rebrand. They recently changed the name from "Foundation" to "Philanthropies." This suggests a more professional, grant-making focus which they still manage together.
- Look for the 2027 Invictus Games countdown. There are reports Meghan might join Harry in Birmingham this summer (July 2026) for the one-year countdown. If she shows up in the UK, the separation rumors will likely vanish overnight.
- Ignore "unnamed insiders" on social media. Unless it comes from a verified joint appearance or a spokesperson, most "on the brink" stories are just clickbait designed to trigger Google Discover.
The reality of the situation is that Harry and Meghan are navigating a very modern, very public transition. They are moving from being a "duo" to being two individuals who happen to be married. That’s a big shift, and it’s bound to look messy from the outside. But for now, any talk of them legally separating is just speculation.
Keep an eye on the official Archewell announcements for the most accurate updates on their joint ventures.