In 2018, Meghan Markle became part of the British Royal Family following a spectacular wedding with Prince Harry in Windsor. However, her role within “The Firm” turned out to be much shorter than expected. Just two years later, the couple stepped back from their royal duties and began a new chapter of life across the ocean.
Despite participating in official engagements, life at court turned out to be far from what 43-year-old Meghan had envisioned. According to the couple, one of the main reasons for their departure was their desire to gain financial independence and preserve more personal space.
In 2020, the couple moved to the United States to make this vision a reality. However, experts suggest that there was more behind this decision than just a pursuit of privacy.
Unrealized Expectations
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond stated in an interview with OK! magazine that Meghan initially misunderstood the role she was expected to play in the monarchy. “She could never have been the main figure in the Royal Family… or even its deputy,” Bond noted. She added that while striving for independence and public visibility isn’t inherently wrong, the British monarchy was never going to be a vehicle for achieving those aims.
Royal commentator Phil Dampier expressed a similar opinion earlier. He suggested that Meghan never intended to remain in the Royal Family for long. In an interview with The Sun, he remarked, “Meghan never felt any “affection” towards her husband’s home country. She was ready for a lavish wedding, which cost millions of pounds, but her plans were always outside the Palace.”
A New Chapter in America
After stepping away from royal life, Meghan and Harry settled in Montecito, California, where they raise their two children: five-year-old Prince Archie and three-year-old Princess Lilibet. The couple worked on joint projects during their first years in the U.S., including a scandal Netflix documentary series about their lives in the Royal Family. However, they have recently shifted their focus toward developing their brands.
According to Renae Smith, founder of the PR agency Atticism, this professional separation could benefit the couple. In an interview with Express.co.uk, Smith stated, “This move can help them create clearer individual identities aligned with their personal goals and audiences, though it will undoubtedly spark much speculation in the short term.”
In summary, Meghan and Harry’s decision to leave the royal fold was not solely the result of unmet expectations or dissatisfaction. It was also part of a carefully considered strategy to carve out an independent identity.