Cressida Bonas, a name once associated with Prince Harry and a blossoming career in acting, is now carving a different path.
Instead of continuing down the glamorous road of TV dramas and red carpet appearances, the former actress has found herself embracing motherhood, writing, and creating content that reflects her personal experiences.
Her transition into these new ventures mirrors the journey of other well-known women, including Harry’s current wife, Meghan Markle.
Yet, while both have made a name for themselves in more personal and creative projects, their connections with the royal family diverge significantly.
A Different Life and Career Path After Prince Harry
Cressida Bonas, like Meghan, started her career with acting, modeling, and dancing.
She gained significant recognition with roles in productions like Tulip Fever and White House Farm.
However, following her time in the spotlight, she transitioned away from acting and into content creation.
Today, Cressida is a podcaster, writer, and mother, and she shares her experiences of raising two children with her husband, Harry Wentworth-Stanley.
Her social media, once filled with glamorous selfies and artsy photoshoots, now features wholesome family moments and sunny photos with her young son.
This shift in focus mirrors Meghan Markle’s own transformation after marrying Harry in 2018.
Meghan, known for her role in Suits, also ventured into various creative projects, including her Netflix cooking show and the launch of her lifestyle brand, As Ever.
Both women’s journeys are strikingly similar in how they’ve used their platforms to explore family life and personal growth, while stepping away from the limelight they once thrived in.
Cressida’s Podcast and Family Focus
In 2025, Cressida took a significant step in her career by launching Lessons From Our Mothers, a podcast she co-hosts with her half-sister Isabella Branson.
The series delves into the experiences of motherhood, featuring guests such as Kate Winslet, Giovanna Fletcher, and Mary Berry, all sharing heartfelt stories and insights.
Princess Eugenie, a close friend and the one who introduced Cressida to Prince Harry, also joins the conversation, offering a touching tribute to her mother, Sarah Ferguson.
The podcast is just one example of how Cressida continues to weave her personal life and experiences into her work, creating content that resonates with many.
Before this, Cressida had already explored podcasting with Fear Itself, where she tackled complex themes such as fear, vulnerability, and personal growth.
The show, which ran for 37 episodes, featured guests like Sir Richard Branson and author Matt Haig, and it allowed Cressida to explore deeper emotional themes.
Candid Reflections on Motherhood and Family Life
Motherhood has been a significant focus for Cressida in recent years.
In a personal essay, she shared the struggles she faced while trying to conceive, revealing that her first child, Wilbur, was conceived through IVF.
She has been open about the difficulties that came with the process and the challenges of being a mother.
In a moving reflection, Cressida shared how being a mother is “unpredictable and frightening” but also deeply rewarding.
She also spoke candidly about the loss of her sister Pandora, who passed away in 2022, and how the experience of motherhood has made her confront past emotional struggles.
Her transparency about the ups and downs of family life is something she shares with Meghan Markle, who has also been open about the challenges of motherhood.
During a trip to Nigeria, Meghan spoke about balancing her family and career while raising her children, Archie and Lilibet, admitting that “balance” in her life is always changing as her family grows.
The Legacy of Her Relationship with Prince Harry
Cressida’s relationship with Prince Harry may have ended years ago, but it still remains a significant part of her story.
The couple dated between 2012 and 2014, and while their romance was low-key compared to Harry’s subsequent relationship with Meghan, it was still one that garnered attention from the public and the royal family.
Prince Harry has often spoken fondly of Cressida, even acknowledging in his memoir Spare that he considered marrying her.
He shared that his family, particularly his brother William and sister-in-law Kate, had approved of Cressida, and they all saw her as a good match for Harry.
Their bond, while not lasting, was deep, and Harry revealed that Cressida was the first person he spoke to about the pain of losing his mother, Princess Diana.
Despite the end of their relationship, Cressida remained close to Princess Eugenie and continued to maintain a connection with the royal family.
She even attended Harry and Meghan’s wedding in 2018, showing that there were no hard feelings after their breakup.
A New Chapter with Harry Wentworth-Stanley
In 2020, Cressida married Harry Wentworth-Stanley, a property investor from a prominent aristocratic family.
The couple, who initially struggled with fertility, welcomed their son Wilbur in 2022, and Cressida is currently expecting their second child.
Their family life is grounded in the quiet elegance of the English countryside, far removed from the intense media scrutiny that Cressida faced during her time with Prince Harry.
The couple’s bond, rooted in shared values and a strong support system, appears to be the foundation of Cressida’s new life, which she seems to embrace with joy and contentment.
Moving Forward with Peace and Purpose
Today, Cressida is a mother, a content creator, and a woman who has moved beyond the royal spotlight.
While her relationship with Prince Harry may be part of her past, it does not define her future.
Instead, Cressida is focused on her family and her personal growth, sharing her experiences through podcasts, articles, and social media in a way that feels authentic and grounded.
Whether through her reflections on motherhood or her candid insights into personal struggles, Cressida is carving out a life that is uniquely her own—one filled with warmth, creativity, and a sense of peace.