The decision of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to step down as senior members of the British royal family in January 2020 was a watershed moment in modern royal history. Their departure, dubbed “Megxit” by the media, not only marked a personal transition for the couple, but also laid the groundwork for a developing schism within the Windsor family.
The Sussexes moved to Montecito, California, to begin a fresh chapter as private people and parents to their two children, Archie and Lilibet. Their life in the United States is in dramatic contrast to the protocol-driven one they left behind. Aside from raising their children, the pair has undertaken charity efforts, media projects, and economic prospects, establishing a brand distinct from royal confines.
The schism with the royal family grew dramatically once Meghan and Harry began openly discussing their experiences. Their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021 exposed claims of racism, maltreatment, and emotional misery, igniting a media frenzy. Meghan revealed her issues with mental health and claimed that her cries for help were disregarded, while Harry highlighted his dissatisfaction with his family’s connection with the tabloid media.
Subsequent efforts, including the Netflix documentary series Harry & Meghan and Harry’s memoir Spare, fueled the flames. In Spare, Harry described his troubled ties with his brother, Prince William, and father, King Charles III. Accusations of envy, emotional mistreatment, and unresolved grief over their mother, Princess Diana, widened the divide between Harry and his siblings.
While Harry and Meghan expressed their frustrations publicly, Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton chose a different approach: silence. The Prince and Princess of Wales, known for their strict commitment to royal tradition, have refrained from making public statements about Harry and Meghan’s claims. However, royal insiders believe the silence conceals tremendous hurt and fury.
According to Ingrid Seward, a royal biographer, Meghan needs a “groveling apology” from the royal family before considering any reunion. In contrast, William claims that Harry owes him an apology for years of perceived disrespect toward him, his wife, and their late mother. This impasse emphasizes the emotional toll the rivalry has had on both sides.
While common family events, such as Queen Elizabeth II’s burial in September 2022, drew the Sussexes and royals together, they did little to repair the divide. Meghan, in particular, has expressed unhappiness in what she sees as Kate’s lack of support throughout her time as a working royal. This lasting grievance continues to be a substantial impediment to reconciliation.
Tom Quinn, a royal analyst, has emphasized Meghan’s idea that Kate should have been more understanding, deepening the divide. A combined family meeting has been proposed as a viable solution, but mutual mistrust and unsolved grievances make such a gathering unlikely to produce results.
Recent events, like as Kate Middleton’s rumored health issues, have not alleviated tensions. Meanwhile, Harry’s solo excursions to the UK, such as his recent participation at the Invictus Games anniversary celebration, have provided little opportunities for family engagement.
Meghan’s refusal to re-engage, citing concerns for the safety and well-being of her children, Archie and Lilibet, complicates the matter. These protective impulses, together with the couple’s needs for acknowledgment and apologies, indicate that the path to reconciliation will be long and difficult.
The Sussexes’ departure and subsequent acts have forever changed the dynamics of the British royal family. While the public and royal observers continue to hope for a settlement, the deeply personal character of the grievances, along with opposing demands for apologies, makes reconciliation difficult. For the time being, the story of Harry and Meghan’s relationship with the royal family remains divided, with the chance of unity looming as an elusive possibility.
