A Modern Royal Rift: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and “Megxit”
In recent years, no story has dominated headlines about the Royal Family more than the journey of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Their decision to step back from their roles as senior working royals, colloquially termed “Megxit” by the British press, and their subsequent public statements have created a profound and ongoing rift within the monarchy.
The Decision to Step Back
On January 8, 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released a shocking statement on their now-defunct Instagram account, announcing their intention to “step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent.” The announcement, reportedly made without the full consultation of the Queen and other senior royals, sent shockwaves through the institution. It followed years of what the couple described as intense and unfair media scrutiny, particularly directed at Meghan, which included coverage they and their supporters deemed to have racist undertones.
Following a crisis summit at Sandringham, a deal was brokered. As detailed in statements from Buckingham Palace, Harry and Meghan would no longer use their “His/Her Royal Highness” titles, would not receive public funds for royal duties, and would repay the Sovereign Grant expenditure for the refurbishment of their UK home, Frogmore Cottage. They officially transitioned out of their roles in the spring of 2020 and relocated to North America, eventually settling in California.
What Did Prince Harry Say About His Family?
Since their departure, Prince Harry and Meghan have given several high-profile interviews and participated in media projects where they have spoken about their experiences. These have provided direct answers to the question, “What did Prince Harry say about his family?” and have deepened the public divide.
The most significant of these was their March 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey. During the sit-down, the couple made a series of startling claims. Meghan revealed she had experienced suicidal thoughts due to the pressure and felt unsupported by the institution. Perhaps the most explosive allegation was that, while she was pregnant with their son Archie, there had been “concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born” from an unnamed member of the Royal Family. Prince Harry confirmed the conversation took place but declined to name the individual.
Prince Harry also described his relationship with his father, now King Charles, and his brother, Prince William, as strained. He told Oprah he felt “really let down” by his father, who he said had stopped taking his calls for a time. He described his relationship with his brother as one of “space” at that moment. In response, Buckingham Palace released a brief statement on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II, saying the issues raised, “particularly that of race, are concerning.” It added that “while some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.”
The couple’s Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan, released in December 2022, further detailed their perspective, accusing the palace’s communications teams of planting negative stories and failing to protect them. Then, in January 2023, Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare, was published. The book was a global bestseller and contained numerous personal revelations, including details of a physical altercation with Prince William, his past drug use, and his private feelings about his mother’s death and his father’s marriage to Camilla. The book painted a picture of a life constrained by hierarchy and a press machine the family was unwilling or unable to control.
As of today, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue their lives in California, pursuing projects through their Archewell Foundation and production company. While Prince Harry has returned to the UK on a few occasions, the rift with his father and brother remains a subject of intense public and media interest, with little sign of a full public reconciliation.
