Prince Harry announces he’s consciously uncoupling from life as a front-line royal – is it all Meghan’s fault?
It’s official! The Duke and Duchess are ‘stepping back’ – but who’s to blame?
The writing had been on the wall for months, with not-so-subtle hints that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were no longer willing to participate in the daily grind of royal duty. Yet their decision last week to “step back as senior members of the Royal Family” – days after returning from their six-week break – went public with all the carnage (and tact) of a rabid rhino.
In a defiant Instagram post, the Sussexes said they were taking on a “progressive new role”, working to become “financially independent”, and splitting their time between the UK and North America. They then unveiled their new website, which took aim at the British media and announced that they were removing themselves from the “royal rota” – meaning they’ll no longer have to grant the press access to their official engagements, and can now hand-pick who to work with.
This was shocking enough – but it was the royal family’s subsequent statement that really revealed the damage that #Megxit had wrought. “Discussions with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage,” said a spokesperson on behalf of the Queen. “We understand their desire to take a different approach,
but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.” In other words: hold your bloody horses.
According to the BBC, the royal family was “hurt” and “deeply disappointed” by the news, which had been dropped without approval. Insiders revealed that, while the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William knew of Harry’s desire to “carve out” a new role, they had made it clear further negotiations were needed. Within 24 hours, Meghan had fled back to Canada, with Harry reported to have joined her after he engaged in a series of calls with the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William, to try and come up with a “workable solution”. The palace was reportedly only sent a copy of Harry and Meghan’s statement ten minutes before it was published.
But amid all the drama, one question persisted: had Meghan planned the royal exit all along? It’s certainly been a swift turnaround for the pair, whose wedding a year-and-a-half ago was celebrated with national fanfare and jubilation. At the time, TV actress Meghan was resolute in her decision to give up acting, saying, “I just see it as… a new chapter.” She added that moving to the UK and committing herself
full-time to the royal family allowed her to focus “even more energy” on causes she cared about, because “you realise you have… a voice that people are going to listen to. With that comes a lot of responsibility, which I take seriously.”
But despite her insistences, rumours soon surfaced that the 38 year old was far from happy to mould herself into the template of a traditional princess. Harry and Meghan’s wedding wasn’t just marred by her estranged family slamming her as a “social climber”, there were also whispers that she was “dictatorial” – leading insiders to reportedly label her “Me-gain”. Days before the ceremony, it was reported that Harry had told his staff, “What Meghan wants, Meghan gets.” From then on, the couple made it clear that they were absolutely treading their own path, wherever it might lead.
Since then, they’ve increasingly ripped up the rulebook. The schism began last March, when Harry and Meghan formally split their royal offices from Prince William and Kate Middleton’s, before stepping down from their shared Royal Foundation. They also made their reluctance to “play the media game” clear, only confirming that Meghan was in labour with Archie when he had already been born, then waiting two days before presenting him to the world – and only inviting one photographer to capture the moment. They followed this in June with their decision to hold Archie’s christening in absolute privacy and refusing to reveal the identities of his godparents.
But things reached fever pitch last October, when Harry took legal action against tabloids for “bullying” his “suffering” wife.
Then, in their documentary Harry & Meghan: An African Journey – ostensibly filmed to shed a light on charity work in South Africa – Meghan lamented, “Not many people have asked if I’m OK,” and confirmed that she was struggling with life in the spotlight. Harry echoed her sentiments and appeared to confirm his rift with Prince William, explaining that they were “on different paths”. A six-week hiatus from royal duties did little to placate them; last week, they “hit the nuclear button” – and the royal family was changed irrevocably.
Unsurprisingly, social media has focused on Meghan, with thousands questioning her motives and claiming that this was the outcome she’d wanted all along. One royal fan railed, “Meghan has finally got what she always wanted – the title and the money, as well as independence. She’s won.” Another said, “Well, she got her way! We should be refunded for all the renovations at Frogmore.”
Meanwhile, the fact that their new website was designed by the same agency who created Meghan’s former lifestyle site
‘Meghan’s won. She’s got what she wanted’
The Tig – coupled with their decision last year to employ American PR team Sunshine Sachs – suggests she’s got showbiz in her sights. This was highlighted further last week, after it was revealed that they’d trademarked the “Sussex Royal” brand on more than 100 items, including T-shirts and hoodies.
As for the future, it’s still unclear what Harry and Meghan’s “progressive new role” will be, and how the Queen will officially address her grandson’s defiance. In any case, it’s fair to say that the royal family’s been changed forever – and whether she planned it or not, Meghan’s played a huge role in that.