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Prince Harry takes major step to cut ties with Britain

Harry and Meghan at a polo event in Florida last weekend.

Harry and Meghan at a polo event in Florida last weekend. Photo: Getty

Prince Harry has officially listed the US as his primary residence in a decision that appears to underline his growing estrangement from the royal family.

The change was revealed in documents lodged with Britain’s Companies House for Harry’s eco-travel venture Travalyst.

It is the first official place of residence update since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex quit their royal roles and left Britain in 2020.

It was revealed in paperwork filed on Wednesday, although the “date of change” is given as June 29, 2023.

That is the same date that Harry and Meghan officially vacated their British residence, Frogmore Cottage, at the request of his father, the King.

It remains unclear whether Harry’s change of address will have any effect on any of his titles. But it is another nail in the coffin of one of his most significant roles – as a counsellor of state.

prince harry united states

The document revealing Harry’s official change of address.

Counsellors of state stand in for the monarch if they are unable to perform their duties.

They are traditionally the spouse of the sovereign and the next four adults in line of succession to the throne – in this case, the Queen, the Prince of Wales, then Harry, his uncle Prince Andrew and cousin Princess Beatrice.

Under a legal change in 2022, soon after the death of the late queen, the King’s siblings Princess Anne and Prince Edward were added to the list.

That change was made amid concerns about scandal-plagued Prince Andrew – and Harry’s decision to move to California.

A requirement for being a counsellor of state is that the United Kingdom is their primary residence – meaning Harry’s latest update has likely ruled him out altogether and can be seen as yet another step away from his family and official royal roles.

The importance of counsellors of state has been highlighted this year as the King takes months out from public duties to be treated for cancer.

Harry does remain in the line of succession to the throne – behind the Prince of Wales and his three children.

Despite this week’s legal change, Harry has said he still considers Britain to be his “home” but felt “forced” to flee to the US due to safety concerns.

“The UK is central to the heritage of my children and a place I want them to feel at home as much as where they live at the moment in the US,” the duke said in a written statement read to a London court in December as part of his legal bid for taxpayer-funded police security.

“That cannot happen if it’s not possible to keep them safe when they are on UK soil.”

The bid was denied, although Harry has appealed against the decision.

In recent months, the duke has also expressed interest in getting his American citizenship.

“[It] is a thought that has crossed my mind, but certainly is not something that is a high priority for me right now,” he told Good Morning America in February.

To become a US citizen, Harry would have to renounce all of his British titles.

The prince is next expected back in Britain in early May for celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

Amid reports he has anxiety about the looming trip, it is not known whether Meghan or children Archie and Lilibet will join him.

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