From their stunning wedding, watched by over 29.19 million people, to the births of their children Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and Lilibet Diana, the scrutiny of the media has followed the Sussex Royals every step of the way. It eventually led them to leave the UK and settle in the United States.
During a 2019 ITV interview, Meghan revealed that her friends had warned her about the potential media backlash if she married Harry. She admitted to initially underestimating the impact of this warning due to her naivety as an American.
“I never thought that this would be easy, but I thought it would be fair, and that’s the part that’s really hard to reconcile,” expressed Meghan. She added that she had tried to adopt the British mentality of having a stiff upper lip, but realized it was damaging to her well-being.
The decision of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to step back from their royal duties, commonly referred to as Megxit, had a profound impact on the British royal family. Over time, their relationship with the rest of the family has continued to deteriorate.
After King Charles was diagnosed with cancer, Harry flew to Britain to meet with him. However, it remains unknown whether they were able to mend their strained relationship. King Charles had always been supportive of Harry and Meghan, but their actions after leaving the family had left him angry.
In a revealing interview with Oprah, the couple disclosed that there were conversations within the royal family about how dark their son Archie’s skin would be before he was born. This revelation sparked accusations of racism against the palace.
Meghan expressed her frustration during the interview, stating, “I don’t know how they could expect, after all of this time, we would still just be silent if there is an active role that the firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us. If that comes with risk of losing things…there’s a lot that’s been lost already.”
In regards to her mental health struggles, Meghan admitted that she felt unsupported by the family. She even became suicidal, feeling completely overwhelmed by the negative media attention. She attempted to seek help but was discouraged by the institution.
The relationship between the Sussexes and the royal family continued to deteriorate, leading to distance between them. However, after the interview, Meghan sent a letter to Prince Charles explaining that she did not intend to accuse the royal family of racism, but rather wanted to address the issue of unconscious bias. Charles responded with sadness, expressing his concerns about the tensions within the family.
In 2023, Harry also addressed the issue of alleged racism within the royal family, distinguishing between racism and unconscious bias. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging unconscious bias and using it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Despite attempts to reconcile, the divide between the Sussexes and the royal family remains. The aftermath of Megxit continues to be a complex and emotionally charged situation.