Why Did Harry and Meghan Step Away From the Royal Family?
In 2021, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped away from their royal duties. The Duke of Sussex also gave up his honorary military titles as the couple split from the royal family.
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The late Queen Elizabeth II confirmed the news, saying “that in stepping away from the work of the Royal Family, it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service,” (via Associated Press).
The Couple Moves Far From the Royal Family
The couple is no longer using the title “royal highness” or receiving public funds for their work, a decision that has caused problems for the couple in later years. The duke and duchess now live in Santa Barbara with their two children.
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The blame for Prince Harry and Meghan’s retreat from their royal duties is partially due to the invasion of the British press.
The Couple “Felt Forced” to Step Back From Their Duties
The reason why Harry and Meghan stepped down from their royal duties has been largely debated. The duke stated that he “felt forced” to step back to protect his family, as toxic family dynamics became too much.
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Despite the animosity between the family members, Harry and his father, the King, have reportedly had warm phone calls around the holiday season.
Harry and Meghan Speak Out Against the Royal Family
Since stepping away from their royal duties, Harry and Meghan released a tell-all Netflix documentary, in which they criticized the royal family in December 2022. A few months later, Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” painted the family in an bad light.
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Harry has also been fighting against the British press in the courtroom. However, the Prince has been ordered by a London judge to pay over $60,000 (£50,000) in legal fees to the publisher of The Daily Mail.
The King Would “Love to Have Harry Back”
Whatever happened behind the closed doors at Buckingham Palace, royal author Robert Hardman reveals that the King is eager to have his son back in his family, but not as a working royal member.
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According to GB News, Hardman says, “Charles would love to have him back in the fold, not being royal again—I think that ship has sailed, and I’m sure Harry would not want to do that.”
When Will Harry and the King Mend Their Relationship?
The author believes that the King will mend the rift between the royal family with Harry, but is unsure if Harry wants to repair the relationship. “I don’t know how and when. Certainly, on this side of the Atlantic, the door is always open, and there’s so much other stuff going on,” Hardman says.
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“For Harry, it’s a different order of magnitude, because, does he want to re-engage with his family?” Hardman asks.
Is There a Royal Work Shortage?
Recently news of the Princess of Wales and the King’s medical procedures have sparked questions of whether the duke would step in to help with the royal work shortage.
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Hardman told Newsweek, “What would probably help move towards that situation is if he gradually started having a sort of normalizing… suddenly it’s not such a big deal if Harry and Meghan are coming over to the U.K. privately with their children and having a playdate with their cousins.”
Harry and Meghan Pitched a “Half In, Half Out” Situation
Harry and Meghan originally pitched a “half in, half out” system to the family in January 2020. This would allow the couple to live abroad, earning money in the private sector, while also performing some duties for the queen.
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The pitch was rejected. However, Hardman says it is a “never say never” situation. “I don’t pretend to be close to the Sussexes at all but, from what I glean, it’s a ‘never say never’ situation,” says the author.
Will Harry and Meghan Return to Their Royal Duties?
Prince William is taking time to help Kate Middleton recover from her major surgery. King Charles has also canceled engagements as he prepares for his hospital procedure in the upcoming days.
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The unforeseen circumstances have not made any waves large enough for a Sussex return. If Harry and Meghan were to return to their royal duties, then it would not be in the short term.
Will Harry and William Repair Their Relationship?
Current relationships in the royal family are still tense. Hardman says that the relationship between Harry and William will “be a trickier rapprochement when it comes to the brothers.”
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If another scandal emerges before Harry and Meghan mend their relationships with the family, then the royal rift could be too wide to mend. Hardman’s book will have to be careful, as Omid Scobie’s book “Endgame” sparked a large rift with Charles making an infamous comment about Archie’s skin tone.
The King Reveals Shocking Royal Truths
Hardman’s book will cover the events that unfolded after Charles and Camilla’s succession. One subject that has sparked a major debate is Elizabeth’s disapproval of the name Harry and Meghan picked for their daughter.
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“I’ve seen a lot of reports that the queen was furious about the name,” Hardman said. “It wasn’t the naming that was the issue; it was the way that the naming was presented. The sort of war of words.” “The Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy” is available to read now.