The decision by 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 represented a personal shift for the couple, but also laid the groundwork for a developing schism within the Windsor family.
The Sussexes moved to Montecito, California, and began a new life as private citizens and parents to their two children, Archie and Lilibet. Their life in the United States is a stark contrast to the protocol-driven one they left behind. Aside from raising their children, the pair has pursued charity efforts, media ventures, and economic prospects, establishing a brand independent of royal restrictions.
The schism with the royal family deepened 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, causing a media frenzy. Meghan revealed her issues with mental health and claimed that her cries for help were disregarded, while Harry expressed dissatisfaction with his family’s relationship with the tabloid press.
Subsequent efforts, including the Netflix documentary series Harry & Meghan and Harry’s memoir Spare, added gasoline to the flames. In Spare, Harry described 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 gap between Harry and his family.
While Harry and Meghan openly expressed their frustrations, 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 avoided public confrontations or pronouncements about Harry and Meghan’s allegations. However, royal insiders believe the silence conceals deep-seated hurt and dissatisfaction.
According to Ingrid Seward, a royal biographer, Meghan needs a “groveling apology” from the royal family before considering reconciliation. In contrast, William apparently believes Harry owes him an apology for years of perceived disrespect toward him, his wife, and their late mother. This impasse highlights the emotional toll the dispute 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 heal the divide. Meghan, in particular, has expressed unhappiness with what she believes to be a lack of support from Kate throughout her time as a working royal. This unresolved grievance remains a serious impediment to healing.
Tom Quinn, a royal analyst, has highlighted Meghan’s idea that Kate should have been more understanding, escalating the conflict. A combined family meeting has been proposed as a possible 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 reduced tensions. Meanwhile, Harry’s solitary trips 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 about the safety and well-being of her children, Archie and Lilibet, exacerbates the problem. These protective impulses, combined with the couple’s needs for acknowledgment and apologies, indicate that the path to reconciliation will be lengthy and difficult.
The Sussexes’ departure and subsequent acts have permanently changed the dynamics of the British royal family. While the public and royal observers remain hopeful for a resolution, the deeply personal character of the grievances, along with contradictory demands for apologies, makes reconciliation unclear. For the time being, the story of Harry and Meghan’s relationship with the royal family is one of division, with togetherness being an elusive option.