Meghan & Harry: moving to America?
THE DUKE AND DUCHESS of Sussex were once again making headlines last week, after it was reported that the couple had appointed Us-based PR agency Sunshine Sachs – renowned for crisis management – to work with them on restoring their public reputation, following what has been dubbed a ‘summer of scandal’. Buckingham Palace said that the firm had been hired to help launch the couple’s foundation in the US.
The news prompted further speculation that Prince Harry and his wife are plotting to move to the States with baby Archie, particularly following recent reports that Harry had snubbed his father Prince Charles’s offer of an estate in Herefordshire, and that the couple had been to look instead at potential homes in Meghan’s childhood home of Los Angeles.
Now Grazia has learned that Palace courtiers are indeed openly talking about the Sussexes’ plans to relocate to America.
‘It’s not so much a case of “if ”, but “when” they relocate,’ said a royal source. ‘It’s an open secret. Meghan is homesick. Her mother, Doria, and most of her friends live in America and the couple both want Doria to have a close relationship with Archie. Interestingly, it seems to be Harry who is the driving force behind plans. He is becoming increasingly angry about the way he perceives the couple are being treated in Britain and wants to escape for a while.’
Indeed, last week the 34-year-old duke took the unprecedented – and defiant – step of commenting on recent criticism that he and Meghan, 38, have received for publicly highlighting environmental issues while also taking four private jets in the space of 11 days. Speaking at the launch of a sustainable travel scheme in Amsterdam, Harry defended his use of private jets, saying it was to ‘ensure my family are safe’, adding that he balances out the pollution by donating to carbon offsetting schemes.
The move was said to have been advised by the new American PR agency, whose previous clients have included Michael Jackson and Harvey Weinstein. The company is known for using controversial tactics, such as editing Wikipedia pages to promote certain public perceptions.
‘Harry is fed up with Britain,’ a source says. ‘He feels like they can’t put a foot right at home, so he has become the driving force behind wanting to relocate to LA, and has been speaking to a number of friends out there to see how it would work.’ Sources claim that Harry has been not only reaching out to Oprah Winfrey – with whom he will be working on a series of documentaries on mental health – but also his distant cousin, banker Freddie Windsor, who lived in LA with his wife, actor Sophie Winkleman, for a number of years while she starred in the US TV show Two And A Half Men. ‘Harry’s been receiving advice on moving to LA from friends including Freddie,’ said a source. ‘He had a great life in California and has been really helpful.’
Speaking to Grazia last week, La-based British publicist Kate Morgan pointed out how popular the couple are in America. ‘Royals have a very strong fan base here in the US; you cannot even pick up a loaf of bread without seeing the couple, especially Meghan, on the cover of a magazine, and the coverage is 95% positive. They could be a very powerful and influential voice for Us-centric philanthropic endeavours, and people would really listen.’ Of course, traditionally in the UK, royals are not supposed to express political opinions, but both Harry and Meghan are outspoken about their beliefs and could well join similar politically motivated Hollywood A-listers such as the Clooneys or the Kardashians, renowned for being outspoken on big issues.
The Evening Standard’s royal editor, Robert Jobson, who has been on tour with the couple, also believes a move could be on the cards. ‘I wouldn’t be surprised by this,’
he said. ‘They’ve had a tough time recently in the media.’ However, he is quick to point out that Harry will not quit his royal duties. ‘I am sure he would want to reach a compromise with his wife, who appears to miss her American life,’ he says.
Vanity Fair’s royal editor Katie Nicholl agrees. ‘They are definitely looking for a base in California and want to work out how they can divide their time,’ she says. ‘Now they have a US publicity team to help coordinate the US arm of their charity, it’s very likely they will be spending time in the States. They also really want Archie to experience an American upbringing as much as a British one. After all, he is half American. But Harry will not renege on his charity work in the UK, so they will be figuring out how to make this work. I’m not convinced they will fully move out there. They might consider spending half the year in the US and half the year here.’
If so, it’s clear the couple would be able to count on close friends and advisors stateside. Last week, Meghan hopped on a (commercial) plane alone to make a surprise last-minute trip to New York to support Serena Williams, who was competing in the US Open Final. It’s said she made the decision after staying up late to watch the semi-final the night before – boarding a flight less than seven hours later. News also broke that the duchess is maintaining her Hollywood team of advisors to help her navigate business in the US. Her former agent Nick Collins, business manager Andrew Meyer and attorney Rick Genow – who were all guests at last year’s royal wedding – are said to be fielding requests for the duchess, as well as helping negotiate plans for her children’s book.
But what of the issue of Thomas Markle? Meghan’s estranged father gave yet another interview to a Sunday newspaper last week, in which he revealed how desperate he was to meet his grandson. However, sources claim that even if Meghan and Harry do relocate to California, it will do nothing to thaw relations with her father. ‘Even if they are closer geographically, it’s unlikely Meghan will want to build bridges with her father any time soon,’ said a source.