On most days, the royal family seems like the perfect family, bound by love and affection for each other. Their portrayal by the media does not let one deviate further from this narrative. However, inside stories present much distorted images of the fairytale.
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, married Meghan Markle, the American actress of the popular series ‘SUIT’ back in 2018. In 2019, the couple welcomed their beloved son, Archie. At the beginning of 2020, the couple revealed their partition from the royal family and their will to achieve financial independence.
Blindsiding the Monarch
This announcement took the royal family by storm. There might have been preliminary talks regarding the separation, but Prince Harry’s announcement came out of the blue one Wednesday morning.
A few hours later, the Buckingham Palace acted on the news and delivered a statement of its own in which it insisted that discussions with the Sussexes are in throes and no definite conclusion has been reached. Meghan Markle’s estranged father announced his vocal disapproval of the couple’s move towards separation.
A Clash Between Brothers
Diana’s two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, always presented a strong front and a fierce brotherly affection for the other. Unified by the personal tragedy of their mother’s bereavement at an early age, the brothers always remained each other’s pillars of supports. However, the news of Prince Harry stepping down from royal duties dealt a heavy blow to their relationship.
Prince William expressed hurt at this unexpected announcement. Harry’s sister-in-law, the Duchess of Cambridge, felt betrayed since she had always mentored the younger prince before his marriage to Meghan Markle, and both enjoyed a cordial friendship.
Acceptance of the Rift
Amid the chaos, on January 10, CNN revealed that Meghan Markle had taken a flight to Canada with her son, Archie, to evade scrutiny and excited public reaction. Three days later, the brothers both sat in a meeting with the Queen and Prince Charles, where they debated the Sussex royals’ future.
In a statement the Queen made after the Sandringham Summit was adjourned, it was decided that the senior royals, the Sussex family, will step down from the royal duties as they desired, and in accordance, will manage their financial lives independently.
The Queen exhibited complete grace and composure when she insisted that though she desired against any break in the royal family, she feels it right to let Prince Harry and his wife live independent of the scrutiny that follows life as acting royals.
From that day forward, Prince Harry and his wife have been seen living life as ordinary citizens, dividing time between Canada and America.
