• Published: Jul 02 2025 05:43 PM
  • Last Updated: Jul 02 2025 05:56 PM

Prince Harry and Cressida Bonas split in 2014 after two years. Their breakup was driven by royal pressure and different life goals.


Newsletter

wave

Prince Harry and British actress and model Cressida Bonas had all the ingredients of a fairytale romance, so royal watchers were already wagering on whether they would eventually get hitched. However, after roughly two years together, they quietly parted ways in 2014. The break-up was neither public nor an event, but it does leave many wondering what, in part, broke apart this royal and a rising star. 
 
The introduction of Harry and Cressida by Princess Eugenie in 2012 proved successful, as they soon formed a strong connection. Although they did attend public events together (charity and theatre events), they generally kept their relationship under the radar even with the interest growing in their low profile. There were, however, some issues growing for the pair that would ultimately destroy their love.

Public Exposure and Priorities

According to several reports and then comments from both sides, the main strain in their relationship was from the pressures of royal life. Reports say Cressida Bonas was still in the early stages of her acting career and it was very hard for her to adjust to the constant media storm that came along with dating a member of the British royal family.

As their relationship became more serious, media coverage of her romantic life began to escalate. Friends of Bonas said she started to panic about no longer having any privacy or the expectations of becoming part of the royal family. Apparently the idea of giving up her acting career and life to live under a constant media spotlight and the circumstances that come along with be a part of the royal family was not acceptable to her.

At this point, Prince Harry, who was now approaching 30, was starting to think about settling down seriously and while he had much respect for Cressida and care for her, the two were starting to go their separate ways. He was on the one hand firmly anchored by royal obligations, while she was (relatively speaking) unable to take hold of her creative interests and professional ambitions.

In Harry's 2023 memoir Spare, he described Cressida as "funny, free-hearted and cool," and recognized that she was having doubts about whether she was capable of the royal life. He said that the pressure of the public and the media was a factor in their breakup. Although he did not go into details he effectively confirmed what so many had conjectured about for years: that Cressida decided to stop the relationship because she was not liking the pressures of royal life. 

After the break up and much to their credit, on both their parts, they moved on without any public controversy. Cressida married property investor Harry Wentworth-Stanley in 2020. Cressida and Harry welcomed their first child in 2022. Since, Cressida has done a few acting jobs but has kept a lower profile in the public domain.

In 2018, Prince Harry married American actress Meghan Markle, and the two now live in the United States with their two children, after stepping back from their royal duties in 2020. 

The relationship between Prince Harry and Cressida Bonas may not have lasted, but it will be recalled as being quietly dignified and healthy. The respect with which they decided to split was based on personal growth and self-awareness, not some kind of conflict or scandal and I think that is meaningful."

Source(Image / Thumbnail): indiatoday.in

Also read

Cressida Bonas Shares Baby Delphina’s First Photos & Tribute

FAQ

Cressida Bonas walked away from the relationship mainly due to the pressure of royal life, and that she wanted to build her own career without being in the public eye.

No. Reports say that the breakup was amicable and mutual, both stayed respectful and quiet, and have not spoken negatively about one another.

She has kept mostly quiet, however, Cressida has spoken on two occasions about the pressures of living in the public eye, and what sounds like hinted on background reasons for not lasting the relationship.

Yes. HP mentioned Cressida in his memoir Spare, describing her as intelligent and funny, but not wishing to live a royal lifestyle. 

Yes. Cressida Bonas married Harry Wentworth-Stanley in 2020 and the couple welcomed their first baby in 2022.

Search Anything...!