Prince Harry has stepped down from his senior position at Silicon Valley technology and mental health company BetterUp.
The move comes just weeks after he said he would always remain a royal and suggested he wanted to repair strained relationships with his family. The Duke of Sussex has now withdrawn from his most prominent business role in the United States.
Harry is no longer BetterUp’s chief impact officer after returning to Britain with Meghan and their children in August.
His title has instead been changed to ‘senior adviser’, five years after he joined the company on a reported $1million-a-year deal aimed at helping to create ‘impact in people’s lives’.
BetterUp has described the change as a positive development. However, it is likely to prompt further speculation that Harry is moving away from corporate life after recently declaring that he would always be a royal and expressing a wish to reconcile with his father and brother.
The BetterUp post was among the first major roles Harry secured after relocating to the US with Meghan, following their decision to step back from frontline royal duties and pursue financial independence.
BetterUp chief executive Alexi Robichaux, who is a friend of Harry’s, announced that the duke would leave the chief impact officer position after ‘five incredible years together’. He did not refer to Harry’s return to Britain.
Mr Robichaux said: ‘In this new capacity, he will focus on key projects with some of our largest enterprise customers, working alongside our team and the leaders we partner with.
‘The move also gives him more time to grow his portfolio of investments, pursue new business opportunities and continue supporting philanthropic causes close to his heart.’
He added: ‘Harry, thank you for what you’ve helped build here. I’m glad we get to keep doing this work together in this new capacity.’
Prince Harry, pictured in a BetterUp promotional image, is no longer the technology firm’s chief impact officer after moving back to Britain
Prince Harry made a surprise appearance at the Brackley Town Remembrance Service yesterday afternoon
Mr Robichaux also praised Harry’s ‘adept understanding of the power of coaching’, saying the duke had supported the company’s belief that coaching should be accessible to everyone.
‘When he joined us, he was one of the most prominent voices making the case for mental fitness,’ he added.
The pair were introduced by a mutual friend after Megxit.
Harry, who has spoken publicly about his own mental health challenges, went on to become BetterUp’s first chief impact officer.
At the time, Harry said: ‘I was matched with my coach who, quite frankly, is truly awesome and has always given me sound advice and a fresh perspective, which is so valuable.
‘I intend to help create impact in people’s lives. Proactive coaching provides endless possibilities for personal development, increased awareness and an all-round better life.’
His responsibilities at the mental fitness company included ‘advocating for mental fitness’ and helping to direct BetterUp’s social mission.
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However, current and former employees have claimed that significant problems remain within the US-based business, describing it as a ‘toxic train wreck’ and a ‘psychologically unsafe place to work’ where ‘everyone is uncomfortable and living in fear’.
BetterUp’s ‘elitist club of leaders’ has also faced severe criticism. One employee claimed in 2024 that its members ‘have no moral compass’ and ‘lack self-awareness’.
A chief executive who recently used the company’s services also said they would not return, alleging: ‘I had concerns about the confidentiality of my discussions and privacy during coaching calls.’
Another former worker described BetterUp’s sales department as ‘predatory’.
‘I am glad I backed out because I read reviews by former employees and it didn’t look good. They highlighted the poor pay, pressure to sell, repeated lay-offs and the fact they pay Prince Harry more than $1million a year,’ they said.
Over the years, Harry has appeared regularly at BetterUp events, both in person and via livestream, including alongside the late basketball star Kobe Bryant to discuss mental fitness and helping people ‘find their flow’.
He has also visited BetterUp offices in San Francisco and Austin, Texas, where employees have access to office dogs, yoga studios and lounge spaces.
Despite those workplace benefits, several current and former employees have voiced criticism of their experiences at the company.
Harry’s move into an advisory position was announced as he was seen quietly attending a memorial service in a small market town, while his father and brother joined Kate Middleton and Queen Camilla at the Cenotaph.
The Duke of Sussex marked the first Remembrance Sunday since he and Meghan Markle returned to Britain by keeping a low profile at an event in Brackley, Northamptonshire.
Harry stood among local residents wearing his military medals and a poppy.
In London, King Charles and Prince William were joined at the Cenotaph by Princess Anne and Prince Edward, while the Queen and Princess of Wales watched from a balcony overlooking Whitehall.
Thousands of people observed a two-minute silence before senior royals and current and former politicians laid wreaths at the monument.
Harry, who returned to Britain this year after six years in California, was absent from the central London ceremony and instead marked the occasion in a more private way.
The duke was seen smiling outside The Crown Hotel shortly before 3pm.
One onlooker said: ‘He was at the memorial service. He was standing next to the pub.
‘He was watching the service and afterwards went into the market and started shaking people’s hands.
‘He was there for the whole service. We were there for 20 or 30 minutes and he had already arrived before us. He just wanted to show some respect.
‘It’s a shame. At the end of the day, he served, so why can’t he pay his respects?’