Prince Harry Just Landed Another New Job
The past year — and particularly, the past month — has been a seriously transformative time for Prince Harry. In January 2020, he shocked the world when he and his wife, Meghan Markle, announced they were "stepping back" from their royal duties. This only added fuel to the rumors that Harry was in the midst of a serious fallout from his brother, Prince William and his dad, Prince Charles. Soon enough, Harry and Meghan relocated to Canada before finally settling down in Santa Barbara.
Meghan and Harry laid low for most of 2020, and then popped back in February 2021 to announce they were expecting their second child. The happy news was nearly overshadowed by the couple's explosive Oprah interview in which they opened up about the tormented life they'd led while part of the royal family.
Aside from a tumultuous personal life, Harry's financial life also changed. He was more or less financially cut off by his father's family and had to access the substantial fortune his mother, Princess Diana, left him. He and Meghan also signed lucrative deals with Spotify and Netflix. Sooner or later, though, Harry needed a job. So he got one. In March 2021, he announced he'd joined the board of a Silicon Valley-based startup. Then, in what might be the biggest surprise to come out of the royal family in years (honestly saying something), the prince got a SECOND job.
Here's the deal.
Prince Harry's new job is close to his heart
Prince Harry joined the board of a life-coaching startup, BetterUp, in January 2021, though he didn't announce it until March, per the Daily Mail. This is Harry's first "real" job since leaving royal life.
And just months after getting that role, Harry broke with royal tradition by getting a second job. In March 2021, Harry joined Aspen Institute's Commission on Information Disorder. The Aspen Institute is described as a "left-leaning" think-tank by the Daily Mail.
The Aspen Institute's ideals are definitely close to Harry's heart. The Commission on Information Disorder was set up to fight back against "misinformation" spread by the press. Harry has spoken candidly about the debilitating role the tabloids have played in his life: His mother died in a car crash trying to flee paparazzi, and Meghan was the target of racist stories by many U.K. outlets. It makes sense then that if Harry were to take a second job, it would be fighting something that has caused him pain.
In his statement, Harry said, "I'm eager to join this new Aspen commission and look forward to working on a solution-oriented approach to the information disorder crisis." Harry will specifically function as a part-time "philanthropic leader" and take part in regular meetings. While it's unknown how much Harry will be getting paid, the Daily Mail reported "similar roles ... command six or seven-figure salaries."