The late Queen famously had an ‘annus horribilis’, but her son King Charles has had quite a few of his own – thanks in part to his wayward younger son, Prince Harry.
On this day, January 8, 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex blindsided The Firm by announcing their intention to step back from official duties and move abroad, triggering a family schism that was quickly dubbed ‘Megxit’.
‘After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution,’ the couple posted to their now-defunct Instagram account.
‘We intend to step back as “senior” members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.’
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit Canada House the day before ‘Megxit’ was announced
Their faces speak volumes. The Royal Family at the Annual Commonwealth Service in 2020 – the final official duty before Prince Harry and Meghan step down from their Royal roles
Their last engagement had Prince Harry’s head down but Meghan seemed alert to the cameras
The ‘Royal Bombshell’ edition of the Daily Mail
The announcement had actually been made on the now-defunct Sussex Royal Instagram site
They went on to declare their plans to divide their time between the UK and North America, and to ‘focus on the next chapter’.
It turned out to be a bitter end to the fairy tale romance Britain had enjoyed with Meghan Markle, an actress best known for her role in a US legal soap who brought an injection of Californian can-do attitude to the monarchy.
It also marked the beginning of the end of Harry’s relationship with his brother Prince William.
With just 10 minutes’ notice of their post – with the Queen and Prince Philip said to be ‘devastated’ – Buckingham Palace rushed out a statement of its own: ‘We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through,’ it said.
It was agreed that on Monday, January 13, Prince Harry, the then Prince Charles, Prince William and the Queen would meet at Sandringham to thrash things out with their private secretaries.
As part of the ‘Sandringham summit’ the Queen had suggested that the family should have lunch together before their big meeting in the library that afternoon.
William refused the invitation, preferring to keep his distance until the meeting itself, writes biographer Robert Lacey in his book Battle Of Brothers: William, Harry And The Inside Story Of A Family In Tumult.
The Sussexes had their own ideas about how they could start their new life.
‘They could become some sort of semi-royals,‘ Lacey says.
Yet according to Harry, in the second instalment of Netflix’s six-part documentary charting his life with Meghan, their suggestions were given short shrift.
‘It became very clear very quickly that that goal was not up for discussion or debate,’ he said in the series.
‘It was terrifying to have my brother scream and shout at me, and my father say things that simply weren’t true and my grandmother quietly sit there and sort of take it all in.’
Prince Charles and Prince Harry at the premier for the premiere of the Netflix TV show Our Planet, narrated by David Attenborough, in 2019
Prince Harry looks down as they emerge from Canada House. The following day they would announce their intention to step back from royal duties and spend more time in North America
‘The Sandringham Summit’ took place on January 13
Prince William and Prince Harry have still not resolved their differences. They are pictured having viewed floral tributes for the late Queen Elizabeth II outside Windsor Castle in 2022
Yet after the summit the Queen released a positive statement about the ‘constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family,’ she said.
‘My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family.
‘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.’
On Saturday, January 18, Harry and Meghan’s future was revealed, as a statement from Buckingham Palace made clear that the couple were making a clean break from everything royal.
Harry had to give up his beloved military appointments and his role as Commonwealth youth ambassador.
They would also no longer receive income from the Sovereign Grant and public funds for royal duties, and would pay back the cost of renovating Frogmore Cottage.
And their newly adopted Sussex Royal brand name was also scotched by the Queen who ruled that they couldn’t use it to market their merchandise and activities in North America.
The couple made their final round of royal engagements in March 2020, before flying to California where they now live in the wealthy enclave of Montecito.
In February 2021, after a year’s review period, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the couple would not be returning to their royal roles.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Buckingham Palace for an RAF centenary fly-past in 2018. It would turn out to be their last appearance on the balcony
Frogmore Cottage on the Home Park Estate was briefly home to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex
Smartly dressed Meghan and Harry attend the Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall. This was during their last week as working royals
Prince Harry and Meghan pushed back with a statement that pointedly referenced that of the late Queen: ‘We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.’
‘Following conversations with The Duke, The Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of The Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service,’ the statement read.
Prince Harry and Meghan pushed back with a statement that pointedly referenced the Queen’s: ‘We can all live a life of service. Service is universal.’
Prince Harry and Meghan’s office also said that the pair, ‘remain committed to their duty and service to the UK and around the world, and have offered their continued support to the organisations they have represented regardless of official role.’
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