Prince Harry Stepping Away From BetterUp ‘Raises Eyebrows,’ Says Source: ‘Caused a Bit of Shock’

0BY: MEGAPrince Harry has sparked shock after stepping down from his senior leadership position at mental health company BetterUp after five years, marking a huge change in his professional life following his family's return to Britain.

As OK! has reported, the Duke of Sussex, 42, joined the U.S.-based coaching and mental wellness business as Chief Impact Officer in 2021, following his departure from royal duties with his wife, Meghan Markle.

BetterUp has confirmed Harry will become a senior advisor, allowing him to pursue additional business investments and charitable interests while maintaining a relationship with the company.

The announcement was made by BetterUp chief executive and co-founder Alexi Robichaux, who praised Harry's contribution to the organization's international expansion and commitment to improving mental health.

Robichaux said: "For the past five years, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, has been BetterUp's Chief Impact Officer. From our first conversation, my co-founder, Eddie Medina, and I were impressed by his adept understanding of the power of coaching, and he championed our belief that coaching should be available to people everywhere. When he joined us, he was one of the most prominent voices making the case for mental fitness."

Harry's appointment attracted considerable attention in 2021, representing one of his most prominent commercial ventures after stepping away from his responsibilities as a working member of the royal family.

BetterUp provides professional coaching and mental health support to businesses and individuals, combining behavioral science with technology.

During Harry's tenure, the company expanded its international operations and developed partnerships with organizations seeking to improve employee well-being.

Robichaux said: "Prince Harry's time on our leadership team marked an impactful chapter of growth for our company. BetterUp scaled to change hundreds of thousands of lives and expanded into 30-plus additional countries."

The executive confirmed Harry's new position would involve working with major corporate clients rather than continuing his existing leadership responsibilities.

Robichaux added: "After five incredible years together, Prince Harry will transition from his role as Chief Impact Officer to become a Senior Advisor to BetterUp."

The company said the transition would give Harry greater flexibility to expand his investments, investigate commercial opportunities and support philanthropic projects.

Harry's involvement with theInvictus Games Foundation, which supports wounded and injured military personnel and veterans, will remain part of BetterUp's charitable partnerships.

Robichaux said: "Our partnership with the Invictus Games Foundation continues, and with Harry, we'll keep supporting veterans as they strengthen their resilience and reach their goals in recovery and growth."

Harry and Meghan moved to North America in 2020 after relinquishing their positions as senior working royals.

Their return to Britain earlier this year with their two children represents another major development in the family's circumstances.

The Duke has frequently spoken publicly about mental health, including the importance of seeking professional support and addressing the psychological effects of traumatic experiences.

His work with BetterUp brought those interests into the commercial sector, where the company promoted coaching as a means of improving resilience and personal development.

Robichaux concluded: "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."

A source told us about the move: "It's certainly raised eyebrows and caused a bit of shock because Harry's involvement with BetterUp was seen as one of the cornerstones of his professional life after leaving the royal family. He joined with considerable fanfare, and there was a feeling that this was going to be a long-term commitment rather than something he would eventually scale back. The fact that he's now surrendering such a prominent position is a significant development, particularly when you consider how closely his public identity has become associated with mental health advocacy. There's bound to be speculation about what's really behind this decision, especially given the timing and the changes in Harry's personal circumstances. He's spent years establishing himself as an independent businessman and campaigner, so stepping away from a major executive position will inevitably prompt questions. The official explanation is that he wants greater freedom to pursue other opportunities, but it's still a considerable change from the role he originally embraced with such enthusiasm. Harry has always been passionate about mental health, and nobody is suggesting that commitment has disappeared. But there's an enormous difference between being part of a company's senior leadership and acting as an advisor on selected projects. He will no longer have the same day-to-day responsibilities, which potentially gives him much more control over how he spends his time."

They added, "That could prove particularly important if he intends to concentrate on new investments, charitable initiatives or establishing a different professional identity. The move could actually represent something of a turning point for Harry. When he first arrived in America, he was determined to demonstrate that he could build a successful career completely separate from the monarchy. BetterUp became a very visible symbol of that ambition. Five years later, his priorities may have evolved considerably, and he could now be looking for opportunities that offer greater independence without tying him so closely to one organization. Whether that proves successful remains to be seen. What's particularly interesting is that BetterUp has been very careful to emphasize that this isn't a complete separation. Harry is retaining a formal connection with the business, and the partnership involving the Invictus Games will continue. That suggests both sides want to preserve the relationship while changing its nature. From Harry's perspective, he gets the freedom to explore other ventures without entirely walking away from something that has been an important part of his post-royal career."

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