In recent months, Prince Harry has appeared to take a back seat while wife Meghan Markle has taken the limelight by launching her As Ever brand and Netflix show With Love, Meghan – but now Harry is reportedly planning to launch a commercial venture of his own

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in New York last month(Image: Getty Images for TIME)

From launching her Netflix show to selling out the products from her As Ever, Meghan Markle has not been far from the spotlight of late. And the Duchess of Sussex has continued to build her business empire with her podcast on female business founders and by posting snippets of her life on Instagram.

But while Meghan has basked in the limelight, the same can’t be said for Prince Harry, who appears to have taken a back seat after the couple appear to have decided to pursue different career paths. It has led some to label Harry as Meghan’s ‘spare’ in a jibe about his status as a spare to his heir to the throne older brother Prince William.

Harry is said to be launching his own commercial venture (Image: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

However, according to the Mail on Sunday, that could be set to change as he attempts to find a ‘new purpose’. The publication reports that Harry will be launching his own commercial venture in the next few months and the same time as concentrating on his Invictus Games Foundation – and it will be one of the first tasks for the Sussex’s newly formed team of advisors.

A source said: “Harry is unkindly described as the ‘spare’ to Meghan’s endeavours. In reality, he has been giving her the space to flourish. Now it is his time to throw himself into exciting new work. Invictus will always come first, but he has also been working on commercial ideas of his own.” The Mirror has contacted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s representatives for comment.

News of Harry’s commercial venture comes after it was revealed he left a charity “completely gobsmacked” with an unexpected move that follows in the footsteps of his wife, Meghan.

Meghan has her own lifestyle brand called As Ever (Image: JAKE ROSENBERG/NETFLIX)

It emerged that the Duke of Sussex has thanked a community project based in Nottingham by making a ‘significant’ donation to help fund its services. The charity, Himmah, says the undisclosed sum will fund more than 650 much-needed food parcels for vulnerable families in the city.

Harry’s donation comes four years after the Duchess of Sussex donated £10,000 with funds from The Royal Foundation for the charity to purchase equipment and fund the Salaam Shalom Kitchen, a joint Muslim and Jewish community project offering hot meals and groceries.

Himmah, which tackles poverty, racism and social exclusion and is based in Gamble Street in the Radford area of the city, said it was “hugely humbled” at Harry’s donation. Sajid Mohammed, director at Himmah, said: “I could not believe it when we got the email. To have been chosen by such a high-profile royal once is amazing, but to have been supported by Prince Harry, too, left us completely gobsmacked.”

In a letter to Himmah released by the charity, Harry said: “Nottingham holds a special place in my heart, having had the privilege of visiting and supporting the community there for over a decade.

“The incredible work Himmah does to address food insecurity, poverty, and social exclusion should be recognised and applauded. I’m happy to be able to play a small part in your mission to bring communities together by creating opportunities and support for those facing hardship.”