IT’S ME OR YOUR FAMILY!
Growing tensions behind palace walls inspire Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to ditch their royal ties and start life anew with son Archie away from England
Meghan Markle has lived in Britain for less than two years. But since moving to London from Toronto (where she shot the TV show Suits for seven years) to be with Prince Harry in the fall of 2017, “her world has been turned upside down,” says a source of the American actress, who went on to wed Harry in May 2018. “She knew that marrying into the royal family wasn’t going to be easy, but nothing prepared her for the amount of emotional and physical stress that comes with being the Duchess of Sussex.”
Now she has a solution to her woes. Life & Style has exclusively learned that Meghan’s convinced Harry to leave the royal family. After months of scrutiny and criticism from the English public — as well as assorted behind-the-scenes “palace drama” with her new relatives and staffers — “Meghan is so miserable that she can’t face being stuck in the U.K. for much longer,” reveals the source. “She wants to move to southern Africa. And she effectively gave Harry an ultimatum: If they don’t relocate, she wants out. It’s her or his family at this point, and Harry’s chosen his wife.”
A MUCH-NEEDED BREAK
It didn’t take as much convincing as one might think. Harry has long had a love affair with the continent he’s been visiting since he was a boy, saying it’s where he experiences “complete relaxation and normality.” Africa — which contains 18 countries that are members of Britain’s Commonwealth of Nations — “is where I feel more like myself than anywhere else in the world,” raves the prince, 34. Meanwhile, his current home has felt like a battlefield. Tensions with brother Prince
William and his wife, Kate Middleton, both 37, drove Harry and Meghan, also 37, to move out of Kensington Palace (where the couples were neighbors) to Frogmore Cottage, their fivebedroom home on Queen Elizabeth II’S Windsor estate. “The feud is ongoing,” confirms the source, noting that Meghan’s in-laws have often taken issue with her diva behavior — behavior that’s caused multiple staffers to quit over a short period of time. “Meghan’s extremely headstrong and, like Harry, has a rebellious streak. She’s not the kind of woman who likes to be told what to do.”
But living under the 93- year- old queen’s thumb comes with a lot of rules. “Harry’s used to royal life — he doesn’t know any different,” says the source. “But Meghan’s grown tired of the royals meddling in her life and constantly having to follow all these different protocols, many of which she finds old-fashioned and stuffy.” Royal watchers even saw Meghan get chastised for chatting during the monarch’s Trooping the Colour birthday celebration on June 8 as sister-in-law Kate stood smiling nearby. “The way Meghan sees it, Kate can do no wrong in the eyes of the royal family and will always be seen as the perfect princess, with Meghan always being the bad guy,” notes the source. “It’s a hassle she can stand to do without.”
THEIR NEW HOME
The Sussexes set the table for their exit in June,
announcing plans to travel to Africa with their 2- month- old son, Archie, in the fall on an official royal tour. But it may end up being a longer stay than anyone imagined. “Meghan and Harry have agreed to spend at least half of the year in southern Africa,” says the source of the sentimental location of the duo’s first vacation together in the summer of 2016. “Living in the middle of nowhere — just Meghan, Harry and Archie, surrounded by nature, as far away as possible from the royal family — would be a dream come true.” They’d still be able to do the charity work they love so much — several organizations Harry’s involved with are based in Africa — yet “wake up every morning to peace and quiet as a family,” adds the source.
And no matter where she is, “Meghan can still use Archie as a prop” in her Instagrams, notes the source, pointing to the artsy Mother’s Day post she did showing off just the newborn’s feet. In fact, the estate they have their eyes on will provide a pictureperfect backdrop. “Harry and Meghan have fallen in love with a $10 million farmhouse with breathtaking views of mountains on a property sprawled over 200 acres,” says the source. “It comes with stables, a private theater, a gym, a spa and two pools — indoor and outdoor!”
ROYAL DISAPPROVAL
They’re already making a splash — in the wrong kind of way. “When Harry
told his grandmother about their exciting plans, it didn’t go smoothly,” says the source, explaining that his push to leave Britain sparked a blowout fight with the queen. “She already disapproves of what she sees as Harry and Meghan’s showbiz lifestyle,” says the source, pointing out things like Meghan’s celeb- f i l led NYC baby shower and her wildly expensive designer wardrobe. “And now she isn’t happy that her grandson’s gone behind her back and made such a huge ing her consent first.” The monarch is amenable to the couple “spending some time in Africa,” adds the source, “but not six months of every year!’
Harry and Meghan moving away was meant to decrease the friction and drama simmering in England. But now, says the source, “William’s become resentful of Harry’s lifestyle because, as the future king, William has a lot more responsibility and less freedom than this his brother. He was livid when he heard about Harry and Meghan’s plans to move to Africa.” The Duke of Cambridge, adds the source, “would love to be able to pack up and move there for a few months with Kate and their three kids.”
Harry isn’t deterred — he’d do anything for his wife. “Harry would be willing to give up his title, privileges and even get a normal job if he needs to,” says the source. “The last thing he wanted was to stir the pot with this move, but now he can’t wait to escape with Meghan and Archie.”