Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to step down as senior royals in January 2020 sent shockwaves across the UK.
The once-prominent couple’s move to California marked a dramatic shift not only in their lives but also in the dynamics of the royal family.
As they transitioned from their roles, they retained the titles Duke and Duchess of Suss*x but lost their His and Her Royal Highnesses, leaving many to wonder how their departure has affected their place in the monarchy and the relationships they once had.
While the royal family is mostly silent on the matter, their actions speak volumes – revealing a starkly distant dynamic between them and the couple.
Prince Harry’s recent visits to the UK
Prince Harry has made several trips back to the UK since his dramatic departure. In February 2024, he visited London to meet his father for 45 minutes following the announcement of King Charles’ cancer treatment. He has also returned several times due to ongoing lawsuits against various newspaper publishers. In May 2023, Harry attended the coronation of King Charles without Meghan. However, the couple reunited for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022 and her funeral in September.
On May 8, Harry attended a service at St Paul’s Cathedral to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, a sporting event he helped found for wounded veterans. He did not see his brother Prince William or King Charles during this short visit. Royal expert Emily Andrews said Charles’ busy schedule prevented his son from visiting.
Trooping the Color is missing.
However, these were not the only cases of exclusion. For the second year in a row, Harry was left off the guest list for Trooping the Colour, also known as the Sovereign’s Birthday Parade. He was also not invited to the wedding of Hugh Grosvenor, Duke of Westminster – who is also the godfather of Harry’s son, Prince Archie. “It was humiliation after humiliation for Prince Harry,” reports Andrews. “Harry has lost so much trust with so many people that it’s hard to see him at a society wedding or Trooping the Color ever again.” He adds that Harry and Meghan will not meet the Prince and Princess of Wales as they are “understandably still too hurt” to see him.
“You are no longer royalty…”
“The reality is that he has lost his place in British high society,” said a source close to Harry. “There are days when Harry says he just can’t take it anymore – the scorn, the coldness of the palace, it’s like he’s not part of the family anymore.”
The latest insult involved the royal family’s summer residence, Balmoral Castle. Harry and Meghan have reportedly never been invited to a family reunion in the Scottish Highlands, although Harry spent many of his childhood years there.
Keep your loved ones safe.
In any case, Prince Harry is hesitant to bring his wife and children to the UK due to security concerns. According to Neil Basu, former head of the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism unit, Meghan faced real threats while living there. When the couple lost their police protection after their departure, Harry tried to restore it. However, High Court judge Peter Lane upheld the decision to reduce their security, even though Harry offered to pay for it privately. Harry plans to appeal the decision.
“Great Britain is my home. It’s central to my children’s heritage and I want them to feel at home, just like in the United States,” Harry said in a statement in 2022. “That can’t happen unless there’s a way to keep them safe while they’re on the grounding the United Kingdom. I cannot put my wife in such danger, and given my experience I am reluctant to put myself in unnecessary harm.”
Tabloid action against the royal family
Harry’s fight against the tabloid press continues after he won his court case over the hacking of Mirror Group Newspapers in December 2023. He sees the battle as a “central part” of his rift with the royal family, although it is difficult to pinpoint because “anything I say about my family results in a barrage of abuse from the press,” he said. “I made it clear that this is something that needs to be done. It would be nice if we could do it as a family. I believe that again from a service perspective and when you’re in a public role, these are things that we should be doing for the greater good. But I do it for my own reasons.”
But he adds that the late Queen supported his efforts to confront those who allegedly used illegal methods to gather information about him and his family. “We had many conversations before she died,” Harry said, “and this was something she supported. She knew how much it meant to me. She’s up there and without question, ‘See it through.’
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to step down as senior royals in January 2020 sent shock waves across the UK. Moving to California and relinquishing the title of His and Her Royal Highnesses marked a significant departure from traditional roles in the royal family. The change appeared to be a decisive step for the couple, yet it left many questions about the impact on their relationship within the royal household. The silence of the royal family and the distance between them reflects a complex and tense dynamic.
Prince Harry’s recent visits to the UK have been marked by brief encounters and notable exclusions. In February 2024, he met his father, King Charles, for 45 minutes following the announcement of Charles’ cancer treatment. However, he did not meet his brother, Prince William, or King Charles during his visits. The couple’s attendance at high-profile events, such as the coronation of King Charles without Meghan in May 2023, and their brief appearances together at Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022 and her funeral in September, have highlighted their continued separation from royal life. Their exclusion from events such as Trooping the Color and high-profile family gatherings such as the Duke of Westminster’s wedding at Balmoral Castle underlines the growing distance from the royal family and the lingering sense of rejection that Harry and Meghan are experiencing.
The couple’s decision to step back from royal duties also affected their security measures. Prince Harry remains reluctant to bring his wife and children back to the UK due to security concerns, especially after they lost police protection after their departure. Neil Basu, the former head of the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism unit, revealed the real threats Meghan faced while living in the UK, further complicating their return. Despite Harry’s efforts to restore their police security, a High Court judge upheld the reduction decision, prompting Harry to plan an appeal. For Harry, the UK remains a place of heritage and a home for his children, but he cannot ignore the risks of living there without adequate protection.
Harry’s ongoing fight against the tabloids illustrates the ongoing tension between him and the royal family. His victory in a hacking lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspapers in December 2023 marked a significant moment in his rift with his family. Harry sees the fight as a “central part” of his exit and admits it is difficult to address his grievances due to media backlash. He remains committed to tackling issues he believes are in the public interest, despite the personal toll it takes on his relationship with the press and his family. The late Queen’s support for Harry’s aspirations to confront those who used illegal methods to gather information about him provides some comfort and highlights that his efforts were supported by her understanding of the importance of this battle.
In conclusion, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s retirement from royal duties has left a lasting impact on their place in the royal family and their standing in the United Kingdom. The distance and silence from the royal household underscores the complexity of their new role outside the monarchy. Despite these challenges, Harry is determined to tackle the issues he believes are necessary for the safety and well-being of his family. As they move through this new chapter, the couple’s continued efforts to maintain their connection to the United Kingdom and their ongoing fight against the press demonstrate their determination to define their own legacy, independent of the influence of the royal family.