Royal expert Catherine Mayer has lifted the lid on the reality of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's life in the United States, describing their time since stepping back from royal duties in 2020 as an 'exile'. The couple, who reside in Montecito, California, with their two children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, have faced relentless scrutiny, according to Mayer.
From Royal Wedding to California Exile
Mayer, author of 'Divide and Rule: Royal Women and Their Battles', reflected on the couple's 2018 wedding, calling it a distant memory of optimism. 'To revisit these scenes is to peer down the wrong end of the telescope, the optimism of that day as distant as the moon, or at least California, where the Sussexes have lived in exile since 2020,' she wrote. She added that 'scarcely a week passes without the press quoting anonymous sources to suggest that their union is fraying.'
Queen Elizabeth's Statement and Family Dynamics
At the time of their departure, the late Queen Elizabeth expressed understanding, stating: 'Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.' Since then, the couple has built a life in the US, focusing on their children and charitable work.
Upcoming UK Visit for Invictus Games
In July, Prince Harry is expected to travel to the UK with Meghan and their children for the first time in four years. The trip marks one year until the start of the Invictus Games, set to be held in Birmingham in 2027. Harry has previously expressed a desire to bring his children to his birthplace. However, security arrangements and a potential meeting with King Charles remain unconfirmed.
