Six years ago today, the British Royal Family was rocked to its core by an unprecedented public announcement from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. On 8 January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle declared they would step back as senior royals, seeking financial independence and a new life across the Atlantic.
The Bombshell That Blindsided the Palace
The couple delivered their seismic statement directly via social media, a move that meant some members of The Firm discovered the news simultaneously with the public. The revelation sent immediate shockwaves through the institution and around the globe, as the pair prepared to flee to California.
In the years since, Prince Harry has reflected on the fallout, expressing particular remorse for how his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, was informed. A 2020 source told The Telegraph: “I don’t think he fully appreciated the impact the statement would have in terms of them not consulting the Queen. He regrets that.”
A New Life and Lingering Tensions
Despite the familial rift that followed 'Megxit', Harry has consistently spoken of the freedom found in his new Californian life. During a public engagement in December, the Duke stated: “I very much enjoy living here and bringing my kids up here. It’s a part of my life that I never thought I was going to live. I feel as though it’s the life that my mum wanted for me.”
He emphasised the personal benefits, adding: “To be able to do the things I’m able to do with my kids that I undoubtedly wouldn’t be able to do in the UK - it’s huge. That is a fantastic opportunity and I’m hugely grateful for that.”
Unresolved Questions and Lasting Titles
Six years on, significant questions remain. The Sussexes continue to use their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles, granted by the Queen on their wedding day in 2018, despite no longer undertaking official duties for the monarch. This has led to ongoing public debate about whether the styles should have been relinquished.
The anniversary underscores the lasting, complex legacy of a decision that permanently altered the landscape of the modern monarchy and continues to define Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship with the Royal Family.
