Harry And Meghan's Wedding Exit

On 8 January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, announced their decision to step back as 'senior members' of the British royal family. The couple, who had married in 2018, revealed that they would be splitting their time between the UK and North America, becoming financially independent, and only representing the monarchy on a reduced basis. This decision, dubbed 'Megxit', sparked a global media frenzy and led to a series of negotiations with the royal family. Ultimately, it was agreed that the couple would no longer be working members of the royal family and would relinquish their use of the 'Royal Highness' styles.

Harry and Meghan's wedding ceremony

The wedding ceremony of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on Saturday, 19 May 2018, at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. The groom is a member of the British royal family, while the bride is American and previously worked as an actress, blogger, charity ambassador, and advocate. The wedding date was unusual because royal weddings typically take place on weekdays. The ceremony was noted for its inclusion of African-American culture and was described as a "landmark" moment.

On the morning of the wedding, Queen Elizabeth II conferred upon Prince Harry the titles of Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton, and Baron Kilkeel. Markle became a princess of the United Kingdom and gained the style of Her Royal Highness and the titles Duchess of Sussex, Countess of Dumbarton, and Baroness Kilkeel. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, officiated the wedding using the standard Anglican church service for Holy Matrimony.

The wedding invitations were traditional, featuring the three-feathered badge of Prince Charles in gold ink. The ceremony included a gospel choir, The Kingdom Choir, who sang "Stand By Me." The couple also chose to exchange a standard set of vows, with Meghan omitting the word "obey."

The bride's wedding dress was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller under the fashion house Givenchy. It was made of "double-bonded silk cady cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza" and had a boat neckline, long sleeves, and a sweeping train. The groom, Prince Harry, wore the frock coat uniform of the Blues and Royals, with permission from the Queen.

The wedding ceremony was attended by approximately 600 guests, including A-list celebrities such as Serena Williams, Priyanka Chopra, George and Amal Clooney, and David and Victoria Beckham. The bride's bouquet included forget-me-nots, honouring Prince Harry's late mother, Princess Diana.

Following the ceremony, the couple shared their first married kiss on the steps of St. George's Chapel and then rode in an open-top Ascot Landau horse-drawn carriage through the streets of London. The Queen hosted a lunchtime reception for the couple and their guests at St. George's Hall, and Elton John performed at the lunch reception.

Their reasons for leaving the UK

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, stepped back as 'senior' members of the British royal family in January 2020. They announced their decision on Instagram, stating that they would split their time between the United Kingdom and North America, become financially independent, and only represent the monarchy on a reduced basis. The decision was dubbed 'Megxit', a portmanteau of the words "Meghan" and "exit", and a play on the term 'Brexit'.

The couple's announcement came as a surprise to many and led to an unprecedented meeting of the royal family, dubbed the "Sandringham Summit". Queen Elizabeth II issued a rare personal statement on her family and was praised for her rapid handling of the matter. An agreement was announced shortly after, stating that the couple would no longer be working members of the royal family and would not use their "Royal Highness" styles.

So, what were the reasons behind Harry and Meghan's decision to leave the UK? Here are some key factors:

• Media Intrusion and Privacy: Harry and Meghan were frustrated with media intrusion and the intense scrutiny they faced from the British tabloids. They wanted to escape the constant media attention and have more control over their lives.
• Seeking Financial Independence: The couple expressed their desire to become financially independent and establish their own brand, initially named "Sussex Royal." They wanted to pursue their own commercial ventures and philanthropic interests outside of the constraints of the royal family.
• Mental Health and Wellbeing: Meghan, in particular, struggled with the pressure and mental health challenges that came with being in the public eye. She sought help for her mental health but felt that the royal establishment did not adequately support her.
• Racism and Hostile Treatment: There were also concerns about perceived ongoing hostile treatment and issues of racism towards Meghan by some in the British tabloid press and possibly even within royal circles.
• Desire for a Different Lifestyle: Harry and Meghan wanted to live a more independent and private life, away from the strict protocols and expectations of the royal family. They sought a quieter life, especially for their children, Archie and Lilibet.
• Security Concerns: After stepping back from official duties, the couple faced uncertainty regarding their security arrangements. They had to navigate negotiations with the British and Canadian governments to ensure their protection.
• Family Dynamics: Harry and Meghan wanted to distance themselves from certain family dynamics within the royal institution. Harry has indicated that members of the royal family closest to the institution are trapped and have to make significant sacrifices in terms of personal freedom and human rights.
• Pursuing Other Opportunities: The couple wanted to pursue other opportunities, such as establishing their Archewell charitable foundation and various commercial ventures, including media and production deals.

It is important to note that Harry and Meghan's decision to leave the UK was not an easy one, and it sparked intense debate and discussion within the UK and internationally. The couple continues to have a complex relationship with the royal family and the media, and their story has captured the attention of people around the world.

The couple's new life in California

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's new life in California began in March 2020, when they relocated to Meghan's hometown of Los Angeles with their son Archie. They initially lived in Tyler Perry's Beverly Hills mansion, before buying a $14.65 million home in the Montecito district of Santa Barbara in June 2020. The 14,500 sq ft property sits on 7.4 acres of grounds and includes a pool, tennis court, tea house and children's cottage. Their neighbours include celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ellen DeGeneres and Ariana Grande.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved into their new home in July 2020 and have settled into the quiet privacy of their community. They celebrated Archie's first birthday on May 6, 2020, with a homemade cake made by Meghan. They also marked Meghan's birthday in August 2020, her first back in the States.

In addition to spending time with their young family, the couple have also been involved in charitable work in their new community. During the coronavirus pandemic, they distributed meals to people living with critical illnesses through Project Angel Food, a non-profit charity that cooks and delivers meals to people at high risk during the pandemic. They have also visited Homeboy Industries, a community social justice organisation working to improve the lives of formerly incarcerated people in LA.

Meghan has a close circle of friends in California, including Serena Williams, Katharine McPhee and Oprah Winfrey. In March 2024, she launched a new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.

The media's role in their decision

The media played a significant role in the decision of Harry and Meghan to step back from their senior roles in the British royal family. The couple's treatment by the UK press has been described as intrusive and racist, with particular criticism levelled at the tabloids. The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan, has been subjected to what has been described as a toxic combination of sexism and racism in press coverage. Research by the Guardian found that Meghan received more than twice as many negative as positive headlines in a sample of articles published between May 2018 and mid-January 2019.

Harry and Meghan have also spoken out about the media's treatment of them, with Harry drawing comparisons to the press' "bullying" of his mother, Princess Diana. In November 2016, before the couple were married, Harry released a statement accusing the British press of introducing racial overtones into their reporting of his relationship with Meghan.

The couple's decision to step back from their royal duties has been dubbed "Megxit" by the media, a portmanteau of "Meghan" and "exit", echoing the UK's departure from the European Union, or "Brexit". The term "Megxit" has been criticised by Harry, who called it a misogynistic term aimed at Meghan, and one that was created by a troll, amplified by royal correspondents.

In their 2022 Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan, the couple suggested that they wanted to move away from the UK to escape the Royal Rota, the system that grants exclusive access to a select group of UK media outlets. They have also said that they believe they have been treated unfairly by the UK press since news of their relationship first broke, and that there are racist undertones to the coverage of them.

Harry and Meghan have taken steps to distance themselves from the UK media, announcing in April 2020 that they would no longer cooperate with the British tabloids, including the Daily Mail, The Sun, Daily Mirror, and Daily Express.

The royal family's reaction

On 8 January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their decision to "step back as 'senior' members" of the British royal family. This announcement was dubbed "Megxit" and led to a meeting of the royal family, dubbed the "Sandringham Summit".

Queen Elizabeth II issued a rare personal statement on her family and was praised for her rapid handling of the matter. However, the Queen, Prince Charles, and Prince William were said to be upset, disappointed, and angry about Harry and Meghan's behaviour. Relations were strained between the once-close royal brothers, and they were barely on speaking terms.

On 18 January, an agreement was announced, and the couple would no longer be working members of the royal family, nor would they use their "Royal Highness" styles. The outcome was described as a "hard Megxit", as their offer of occasional work for the monarchy was refused.

Harry and Meghan were stripped of their honorary military titles, and Harry returned to their mansion on Vancouver Island with a mixture of sadness and excitement. In the following weeks, the couple was spotted laying the groundwork for their new lives, and they eventually moved to California.

By the fall of 2020, Harry and Meghan's plans for world domination became clear. They signed a production deal with Netflix and a podcast deal with Spotify, and they financed a house in Santa Barbara County without any help from the royal family. They also paid back the money spent by the sovereign grant to renovate Frogmore Cottage.

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