Prince Harry appears to be making a clear statement about the rumored “professional separation” between him and Meghan Markle, as he’s now traveled abroad alone.
The Duke of Sussex arrived in China on 26 May — notably the same day his father, King Charles III, landed in Canada for a state visit, despite their reportedly strained relationship.
His solo trip follows closely behind another significant development involving the couple, further fueling speculation that Harry and Meghan are now taking separate paths when it comes to their professional lives.
According to GB News, the Sussexes are said to be creating individual household setups, with each of them hiring their own chief of staff and dedicated team — a move seen as reinforcing their separate career directions.
The decision has come as a bit of a surprise, as it means their household will now function more like those of other senior royals, such as King Charles and Queen Camilla, or Prince William and Princess Kate.
As reported by the outlet, Prince Harry has chosen Miranda Barbot to lead his team. Barbot is known for her background as a political and media advisor, including her role in Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign.
She is reportedly assisting Harry in managing a new business venture, though details about this project remain limited.
On Meghan’s side, she’s reportedly brought on Sarah Fosmo — a former aide to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates — to manage her personal projects.
Fosmo is expected to support Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, and help oversee production for the second season of her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan.
In addition, communications expert Meredith Kendall Maines has been brought in to coordinate the couple’s newly expanded team of 11 staff members. This team will be based in both Montecito, California — where the couple currently live — and the UK.
The move is thought to be part of Harry and Meghan’s plan to begin “professionally separating” — a phrase first mentioned late last year to describe their intention to pursue individual projects instead of doing everything as a team.
Their new strategy began with joint tours earlier in 2024, including trips to Colombia and Nigeria. But the next phase involves each of them focusing on building their own personal brands in the U.S., moving away from the image of a united power couple.
With that direction in mind, Harry arrived in China today — his first solo trip abroad since news of their “professional separation” made headlines. He attended the Envision 2025 Global Partner Conference in Shanghai.
There, the Duke of Sussex — who recently helped launch Travalyst, an initiative that encourages eco-conscious travel — reportedly delivered a speech about the importance of sustainable tourism.
He began by highlighting the travel industry’s duty to meet climate goals by 2030, including efforts to keep global warming below 1.5°C and to ensure greenhouse gas emissions peak before 2025.
“Climate change isn’t just about the environment,” he said, according to The Sun. “It’s a serious crisis for businesses too, draining $143 billion from the global economy every year.
“This is the time for the industry to stand up and show it’s committed to making a positive impact. The road ahead won’t be easy — but if there’s one thing life has taught me, it’s that real change never comes without effort.”
He went on to say, “What truly defines our dedication is how we act when things get tough.
We must keep going — giving up is not an option.”