Royal life didn’t seem auspicious to Meghan Markle, then the Duchess of Sussex, married to Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex. She was unnerved about her isolation in Frogmore Cottage and unflattering tabloid dispatches that included racist remarks about her background. Plus, amidst rumors of a percolating feud between the Sussex duo and the Cambridge clan, Prince William and Kate Middleton, Harry and Meghan opted to break away from the royal family.
“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution,” the couple announced on Instagram. “We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.”
By February 2020, it became official that Harry and Meghan would no longer be working members of the royal family, and that they would live in the U.S. Conveniently, scribes quickly blamed the duchess. Royal insider Lady Colin Campbell told the Irish Independent, “Everything I hear is that Harry is completely beguiled by Meghan and completely enthralled to her and has changed considerably.” Broadcaster Piers Morgan added on X, “People say I’m too critical of Meghan Markle — but she ditched her family, ditched her Dad, ditched most of her old friends, split Harry from William & has now split him from the Royal Family. I rest my case.”
