From the outside, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to step back from the British Royal Family appeared to be the ultimate act of rebellion — two individuals breaking free from centuries of tradition to chart their own path. Yet behind the public statements and tabloid coverage lay a far deeper story: exhaustion, emotional strain, and genuine concern for their safety and wellbeing.
In early 2020, following a prolonged period of intense media scrutiny and internal friction, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex formally stepped away from their royal duties and left the UK. Their “freedom flight” marked the end of their lives as working royals and the beginning of a complex and challenging new chapter.
The Announcement That Shocked the Palace
On January 8, 2020, Harry and Meghan stunned the world by declaring their intent to “step back” as senior members of the Royal Family.
“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year, starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution,” they stated publicly.
They pledged continued support for Queen Elizabeth II while seeking financial independence and a balance between life in the UK and North America. Their aim, they explained, was to ensure their son, Archie, would develop “an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born,” while allowing the family space to focus on their next chapter.
The announcement shocked not only the public but also the Royal Family itself. According to BBC reports, neither the Queen nor Prince William had been consulted beforehand. Senior royals reportedly felt “disappointed” and “hurt,” viewing the decision as a breach of trust.
Tensions Behind the Palace Walls
Although the departure seemed sudden, tensions had been mounting for some time. Royal biographer Andrew Morton noted that Harry and Meghan likely began questioning their future within “The Firm” shortly after their 2018 wedding.
BBC correspondent Jonny Dymond revealed that rumors of internal conflict began circulating within days of the wedding, citing staff friction and strained relations between the Sussexes and the Cambridges. Journalist Camilla Tominey, who first reported on the couple’s relationship, said early briefings indicated that “all was not well” between the two brothers and their wives.
The Breaking Point
Meghan Markle endured intense and often hostile tabloid coverage, while privately, the couple felt increasingly isolated within the royal household. In a 2022 interview with The Cut, Meghan revealed that efforts to ease tensions — including proposals to relocate within the Commonwealth — had been rejected.
“We were upsetting the dynamic of the hierarchy,” she said. “We thought maybe if we moved somewhere else, the noise would stop. We even suggested living in South Africa or Canada. But that wasn’t allowed.”
Other royals had similar arrangements, dividing their time between duty and private pursuits, yet the Sussexes’ proposal was dismissed. “That, for whatever reason, was not something that we were allowed to do,” Meghan explained.
In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry described a moment of clarity and fear: “When my wife and I fled this place, in fear for our sanity and physical safety, I wasn’t sure when I’d ever come back,” he wrote of leaving Frogmore Cottage in 2020.
Survival Over Glamour
Their departure was not about seeking glamorous freedom; it was about survival. Harry recounted in Spare that they felt trapped by relentless media attention, rigid institutional expectations, and the sense that they were unprotected.
The couple initially relocated to Canada before ultimately settling in Montecito, California. The move, drastic as it was, offered them the breathing room they could not find in the UK.
“How beautiful it all is,” Harry recalled about Frogmore Cottage upon returning for Prince Philip’s funeral. “And also how sad. Once upon a time, this was going to be my forever home. Instead, it had proved to be just another brief stop.”
Financial Matters and Fallout
Upon leaving, the couple repaid roughly $3 million — the cost of renovating Frogmore Cottage — to British taxpayers. Initially allowed to keep the residence as their UK base, this arrangement changed in 2023, reportedly after Harry released Spare. King Charles III ordered their eviction shortly thereafter.
Sources close to the Sussexes described the eviction as “cruel” and “final,” signaling a complete break. “It’s like the family wants to cut them out for good,” one insider told royal reporter Omid Scobie.
Adjusting to Life in California
While Montecito offers privacy and sunshine, Harry reportedly still feels the pull of his former life. Royal author Tom Quinn explained that Harry misses his military comrades and old Etonian friends, few of whom have visited him in California.
“As time goes by, Harry misses some aspects of his old life in the UK,” Quinn said. “The honeymoon period in the States is ending, and he’s looking back through rose-tinted glasses.”
Quinn also noted that Harry hopes to establish a permanent home in Britain and continues pursuing legal measures for taxpayer-funded security during visits.
Diverging Perspectives
Not everyone shares Harry’s longing for the UK. Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams suggested that Meghan has no interest in returning to the royal fold.
“We know they wanted an apology from the Royal Family for how they were treated,” Fitzwilliams told The Sun. “They won’t get that. But I do think Harry feels a degree of regret.”
Fitzwilliams highlighted Harry’s absence from key royal events like Trooping the Colour, a ceremony he once cherished. “The military has been a very important part of his life, and I would have thought it natural that he would feel some regret not being there,” he said.
By contrast, Meghan appears indifferent, no longer connected to royal traditions. “If it had meant something to her, she would have found a way to carve out a role within the family,” Fitzwilliams concluded.
Life Beyond the Palace
Today, Harry and Meghan lead a quieter life in California, raising their children — Archie and Lilibet — away from the intense scrutiny they faced in London. They have pursued philanthropic and media ventures, including deals with Netflix and Spotify, while continuing their advocacy for mental health and social justice.
Despite redefining what it means to be “royal,” the emotional scars of leaving linger. Harry grapples with the pull between duty, family, and identity, while Meghan focuses on independence, safety, and forward momentum.
In many ways, their story reflects the enduring tension between tradition and freedom, between belonging and self-preservation. Their departure was not defiance for defiance’s sake; it was a decision for survival.
In the quiet hills of California, far from palaces and protocol, the Sussexes are writing their own story — one defined not by titles or tabloids, but by the life they have chosen for themselves and their children.