Rumors that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are divorcing have been publicly addressed by the prince.

At The New York Times’ 2024 DealBook Summit in New York City on Wednesday, Harry, 40, discussed the current rumors about his marriage to Markle, 43.

When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were spotted attending professional events separately, rumors started to circulate that they were having marital problems. The action, which was dubbed a “professional separation,” was purportedly a component of a new “twin-track” strategy to improve their reputation.

Andrew Ross Sorkin, a 47-year-old NYT writer and the founder of DealBook, questioned Harry about the high level of public interest in his private life.

“I Google News-ed you, and there were people fascinated by everything you’re doing, all the time. They’re fascinated by Meghan is in California right now, and you’re here,” Sorkin said, alluding to Markle’s plans to attend the Paley Honors gala in Beverly Hills on Wednesday.

“And there’s articles left and right about, you know, ‘Why are you making, doing independent events? Why aren’t you doing them together?’” Sorkin continued.

Prince Harry had a simple explanation.

“Because you invited me, you should have known!” Prince Harry butted in, eliciting laughs from the audience.

“That’s right,” Sorkin said. Does that seem typical to you? “Well, what is happening with these two, right?” people ask when they see an item that states that you are in New York and she is in California. Is the fact that so many people are interested in you, in a sense, a plus for you?

“No, that’s definitely not a good thing,” the prince said.

It appears that we have purchased or relocated ten or twelve times. It appears that we have also divorced perhaps ten or twelve times. So, it’s like, “What?” Prince Harry laughed and added.

“It’s hard to keep up with, but that’s why you just sort of ignore it. The people I feel most sorry about are the trolls,” he continued. “Their hopes are just built and built, and it’s like, ‘Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes,’ and then it doesn’t happen. So I feel sorry for them. Genuinely, I do.”

Harry also mentioned that he had “no doubt” his conversation with Sorkin “will be spun or twisted somehow against me, and maybe you yourself will be trolled relentlessly.”

“For that, I can only apologize, but you did invite me, so it’s not my fault,” the royal added with a touch of humor.

Prince Harry opened up about his relationship with the press, reflecting on the intense media attention he experienced as a child following the life of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, and her challenging marriage to his father, King Charles III.

“I’ve had a lived experience since I was a kid,” Harry shared with Sorkin. “I’ve seen stories written about myself that aren’t exactly based on reality. I’ve seen stories about members of my family, friends, strangers, all sorts of people.”

He continued, “And I think when you grow up within that environment, you do find yourself questioning the validity of the information but also what other people are thinking of that as well, and how dangerous it can be over the course of time.”

Harry also emphasized his dedication to the philanthropic efforts he and Meghan are pursuing through their Archewell Foundation, particularly their initiatives to enhance online safety for children. He highlighted his “main goal” as “being the best husband and dad that I can be.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who married in 2018, are parents to two children: Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.

Harry’s participation in the DealBook Summit comes two years after Meghan’s appearance at the event in 2021.