Prince Harry is ‘dependent on Meghan Markle for his social life’ after burning bridges: royal expert

Prince Harry has become totally “dependent” on wife Meghan Markle “for his social life,” according to a royal expert.

Since stepping back as senior members of the royal family in 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex hightailed it across the pond in a bid to start afresh.

Since uprooting his life and starting from scratch in Montecito, Calif., the duke has apparently done the same with his friendships.

And royal author Phil Dampier claims that Harry now relies on his wife’s friendships for a lot of his social interactions in the Golden State.

“I get the impression he hasn’t got a circle of drinking buddies he can unwind within Montecito, which has a population of older people, and I’m sure that takes its toll,” Dampier told Fabulous Magazine (via The Mirror).

“Not only has he lost his family, his royal status and military connections, but he’s also lost a lot of friends,” he said, adding that there has been “a massive cost for Harry” leaving his home soil.

Dampier says that the duke, 39, now depends on Markle, 42, “for his social life.”

The expert’s comments echo that of Grant Harrold, who worked for the monarch for seven years when he was the Prince of Wales.

Harrold recently claimed that Harry has cut all ties with friends he once shared with brother Prince William.

“I know quite a few of Harry’s friends, who don’t hear from him at all now,” Harrold remarked.

The duke was famously a no-show at his friend Jack Mann’s wedding in July — despite him being in the wedding party at their own nuptials.

The Sussexes’ absence came as a surprise to guests, especially since Mann — who is a longtime polo friend of Harry’s — appeared in the “band of brothers” photo at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018.

Mann, who was reportedly known as Harry’s “unofficial best man,” has remained tight-lipped about the guest list since the duke’s absence was pointed out.

And according to Harrold, the same can be said for Harry’s relationship with his brother after the pair were once “the best of friends.”

“They were both very sociable boys,” Harrold said. “And that’s what’s so sad about it now, how they’ve gone from best of friends to non-existent really. They have become so distant.”