Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to step away from the royal family in 2020 was not an easy one. Although they may appear to have found freedom and happiness in their new life in sunny Montecito, California, the truth is that their departure from the UK was filled with sadness and tragedy.
Harry revealed in his book “Spare” the true reason why the United Kingdom could not be their permanent home. It was a heartbreaking revelation that no one saw coming. After facing unbearable scrutiny from the British press and struggling with their relationship with the royal hierarchy, Meghan’s mental health suffered greatly. It was a difficult decision, but Harry and Meghan knew they had to leave for the sake of their sanity and physical safety.
Even before their wedding, there were already signs that Harry and Meghan might eventually leave the royal family. Reports of tension between Harry, William, Meghan, and Kate were circulating soon after the couple tied the knot. It was clear that all was not well within the royal household.
Camilla Tominey, the journalist who broke the news of Harry and Meghan’s romance, shared, “We were getting briefings that all was not well, with the relationship between William and Harry, Meghan and Kate, and the relationship between Harry and Meghan and the royal household.” The couple had their reasons for permanently leaving the Firm, but it was undoubtedly a difficult decision to make.
Meghan opened up about the moment they made that life-changing decision in an interview with The Cut. She spoke of the intense scrutiny she faced from the British press and how it took a toll on her mental and physical well-being.
In his book, Harry also reflected on their time at Frogmore Cottage, their former home in the UK. He recalled visiting the cottage after Prince Philip’s burial and feeling a mix of beauty and sadness. It was supposed to be their forever home, but instead, it became just another temporary stop on their journey.
He expressed, “I wasn’t sure if I would ever come back to this place when my wife and I fled, out of fear for our sanity and physical safety.” Little did they know that their departure in January 2020 would lead to an estrangement from the royal family and unanswered calls. The pain and heartbreak were immeasurable.
Before their departure, Harry and Meghan had invested nearly $3 million in renovations for Frogmore Cottage, which they promised to repay to UK taxpayers upon their retirement from the throne. However, Charles reportedly decided the fate of the property shortly after Harry’s book was published, and they were no longer welcome to use it as their base when visiting the UK.
The decision to leave behind their royal life and all its privileges was a painful one for Harry and Meghan. They chose to prioritize their mental well-being and safety above all else. Despite the challenges they faced, they have managed to build a new life in California, filled with love, purpose, and hope for the future.
