Before new life
Their wedding on May 19, 2018 united a grandson of 93-year-old Queen Elizabeth II with the former Meghan Markle, a bi-racial American actress who had starred in the US television series
It wasn’t long before the married couple were put under pressure. Even before the ceremony, Britain’s tabloid newspapers featured stories about a rift between Meghan and her father.
When Meghan became pregnant, some commentators criticised her for jetting off to New York for a baby shower, a strange American tradition to many in Britain. Others lampooned Meghan’s politically correct pronouncements on the environment and women’s rights. Her supporters saw racism at work.
The couple’s first child, Archie, was born in May.
Harry publicly defended his wife and directed his anger at the intrusive media he has resented all his life because of the paparazzi’s role in chasing his mother, Princess Diana, on the night in 1997 when she died in a Paris car accident.
The prince was stung by media reports of a split between him and his elder brother, Prince William. The notion that the brothers and their glamorous wives would be a royal “Fab Four” for the 21st century began to fade.
“For me, and for my wife, of course there’s a lot of stuff that hurts, especially when most of it is untrue,” Harry, told ITV News. “I will not be bullied into playing a game that killed my mum.”
Then, in January, the couple sparked a royal crisis when they revealed that they intended to step back from their duties as senior members of the royal family.
Harry and Meghan said they intended to become financially independent, and balance their time between the UK and North America, while continuing to honour and serve the queen. They wanted, in essence, to be part-time royals.
The part-time notion had caught some in the royal household by surprise.
With his ginger hair, closecropped beard and easy manner, Harry had become one of the royal family’s most popular members. Harry is sixth in line to the throne.
Finally, the queen stepped in. While they would always be part of the royal family, they wouldn’t be allowed to use the word “royal” to earn a living.
But many royal watchers are more interested in what caused the seismic shift in the British monarchy.
Harry and Meghan’s agreement with the queen calls for their decision to be revisited in a year.
Harry alluded to his bond with the British military in a speech for the Endeavour Fund, which helps wounded service personnel use sports to recover from their injuries.
“A lot of you tonight have told me you have my back,” he said in a veiled reference to his royal struggles. “Well, I’m also here to tell you, I’ve always got yours.”