The Reason Harry Is Having A Really Hard Time In LA

Prince Harry may be out of his comfort zone. Ever since the Duke of Sussex, 35, stepped down as a senior royal and moved to Los Angeles with 38-year-old wife Meghan Markle and their 11-month-old son Archie Harrison, things have been quite difficult for him. 

According to People, Harry's good friend, conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall, spoke to reporters about the prince's new lifestyle. Despite his confidence in the future, he's has found everything up until now to be "a bit challenging," per Goodall. The famed primatologist and anthropologist explained that she's been in contact with Harry since "Megxit," and she sees it's been tough for him to adapt to his new way of life after having been born into royalty. 

"I don't know how his career is going to map out, but yes, I've been in touch, though I think he's finding life a bit challenging just now," Dr. Goodall told the Radio Times (via The Guardian). It's understandable that the combination of uncertainty about the future and a major global spotlight would take its toll on someone.

Let's take a closer look at what life has been like for Harry since stepping down.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle officially dropped out of the monarchy on March 31, 2020, as reported by People. After their exit, they traveled to Canada, where they stayed for weeks in a secluded mansion on Vancouver Island. After that, they made the move to California, where they are now living. Though they're reportedly searching for a permanent home in Los Angeles, they're currently staying in a private compound in the area (per the Observer). 

While it was Meghan's dream to return to her hometown, she has also been having a tough time since Megxit, mostly because she's been unable to visit her mother, Doria Ragland, amid the coronavirus pandemic. Still, when the crisis clears, she and Harry will reunite with Ragland and continue on with their projects. 

As fans know, Meghan and Harry are leaving their Sussex Royal brand behind (at Queen Elizabeth's request) and continuing to support the causes they so cherish with their new organization Archewell. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, though, everything has been postponed, according to The Daily Beast.

While Prince Harry doesn't seem to regret his decision to exit the palace, resigning his royal duties and leaving his family behind was always going to be a hard choice. In March 2020, one of Harry's oldest friends told Vanity Fair, "It's an emotional time for him in many ways."

"I think in many ways it's bittersweet. He's always wanted to have a regular life and to get away from the spotlight, and that's what he's doing, but it basically means walking away from his family. Harry's a loving, loyal guy so that will be very hard for him," the pal added.

Harry even admitted to the struggle in his speech at his Sentebale charity event in January 2020. "It brings me great sadness that it has come to this. The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back, is not one I made lightly. It was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges. And I know I haven't always gotten it right, but as far as this goes, there really was no other option," he said at the time, according to Harper's Bazaar.

As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle deal with the coronavirus pandemic like everyone else, they've continued to send positive messages through their Instagram, assuring fans that "together we can lift each other up," and we all have "the potential and opportunity to make a difference."

"As we all find the part we are to play in this global shift and changing of habits, we are focusing this new chapter to understand how we can best contribute," they wrote in a post from March 30, 2020. "While you may not see us here, the work continues." At the end of their message, they signed "Harry and Meghan" rather than, "Their royal highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Sussex," which was previously their signature.

As most fans know, Harry wanted out of royal life long before he even met Meghan. In a previous talk with the Daily Mail, he even admitted that if he didn't have the duties of a prince, he would be a "tour guide" in Africa!

Now that he's as "normal" as he'll ever be, is Harry happy? The answer appears to be yes — it'll just take some time to adjust.