Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are moving back to the UK later this month, six years after they dramatically stepped down as senior royals and fled to America. Their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are enrolled to start at a British school in September.
When Meghan Markle married Prince Harry and became a part of the Royal Family, it was supposed to be a fairytale. However, things panned out a little differently for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Harry and Meghan's Buckingham Palace tale culminated in "Megxit", with them stepping down as senior working royals in March 2020 and flying off to America to start a new life.
X Factor 'ghosting'
Meghan struck up an unlikely online friendship with former X Factor winner Matt Cardle, only to find herself ghosted by him when he got a new girlfriend. Matt beat One Direction to win the talent show in 2010, and followed Meghan on social media five years later. He'd seen her on Suits, and they began messaging on social media. It's claimed Meghan was a fan of his music and had suggested meeting up, and he responded at first. However, he stopped replying to her when he met his ex-girlfriend Amber Hernaman.
Matt admitted: "It was just a very weird situation — very odd. And I really don't know how it came about. Life's got a course and I was not on that one. I've laughed about it, but it's amazing thinking back."
Kate 'rift'
The Prince and Princess of Wales have reportedly been informed about Harry and Meghan's plans to relocate. It's no secret that family relations between the Sussexes and other members of the Royal Family have been strained, including that of Harry and his brother William, who he alleged knocked him to the floor during a 2019 argument at his London home over Meghan. Harry claimed that William called Meghan "difficult", "rude", and "abrasive".
It's also believed Meghan and Kate have had issues of their own. Royal expert JJ Anisiobi told the recent episode of Daily Expresso: "Catherine doesn't trust Meghan Markle for good reason. Meghan Markle slated the royal family." Referring to the couple's 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, where they slammed the royal institution, he asked: "Can you ever see a point when Catherine can actually trust Meghan?"
TalkTV presenter Daisy McAndrew felt that they might bury the hatchet. She replied: "I mean, trust is something so personal, isn't it? I can see a point where they come to some sort of arrangement for the good of the group, for the good of the firm, and I don't know Catherine's personality enough."
'Inauthentic' life as a royal
Meghan has opened up about the frustrations and alleged lack of support she had while being a working royal. One of these frustrations was that she felt "inauthentic" in terms of what she could wear. She told The Circuit's Emily Chang: "It was different several years ago, I couldn't be as vocal." She added: "I had to wear nude pantyhose all the time… that was not very myself."
She added: "Right now, I don't feel I need to prove anything."
UK schools and lack of privacy
Meghan once admitted she was worried about her and Harry's kids attending school in the UK due to a lack of privacy. She revealed she was scared about paparazzi swarming her and her kids while picking them up from school. She told the Cut in 2022: "Sorry, I have a problem with that. That doesn't make me obsessed with privacy. That makes me a strong and good parent protecting my child."
Meghan also revealed that she often remained holed up inside while living in the UK. She told Oprah that there was a period where she only left the house twice in four months. She said: "There was very little that I was allowed to do. So, of course, that breeds loneliness when you've come from such a full life, or when you've come from freedom."
Race comments
Meghan has explained that during her time in the States, she had never been hyper-aware of her race, but this changed when she moved to the UK. She previously said: "Obviously now, people are very aware of my race because they made it such an issue when I went to the UK."
In their doc, Harry said that "the direction from the Palace was 'just don't say anything'." Meghan added that the pair were told not to "comment" on anything and that the media attention was a "rite-of-passage". She also alleged in her Oprah interview that there were "concerns and conversations" within the royal household about "how dark" her unborn son Archie's skin tone might be. She claimed that Harry had been asked by an unnamed family member about the colour of Archie's skin.
The Palace responded: "The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan. The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members."
What she likes about the UK
However, Meghan has revealed that she did miss something about the UK, and that's listening to the radio station Magic. In her Netflix show With Love, Meghan, she said: "Honestly one of the things I miss most about the UK is the radio station Magic." Queer Eye star Tan France replied: "Our radio is so good," adding: "Now sorry to say this to you publicly, but that's such a grandma station." Meghan replied: "I'll be that grandma."
