Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tried to work with the royal family. However, the sight of a picture that showed them the future of the institution without them allegedly prompted them to step back from their royal duties and move on with their lives.
One Photo Served As Prince Harry And Meghan Markle's Wake Up Call Before Megxit?
Princess Diana's biographer Andrew Morton revisited Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's life-changing announcement in 2020 when they announced that they would be stepping back from their royal duties. According to him, they saw a photo that spoke to them about how the monarchy would survive without them despite their worldwide popularity.
Morton was referring to a photo released by Buckingham Palace in 2020, days before the Sussexes announced Megxit. The picture showed the late Queen, King Charles, Prince William and Prince George. His Majesty is resting a loving hand on his grandson's shoulder.
The four royals in the snap were the current and future heads of the institution. Morton said it was the "wake up call" for the royal couple.
"This sense that, despite their international popularity, they were low down the royal totem pole was confirmed when Harry arranged to meet the Queen for a grandson-to-grandmother chat in early January," Morton said, The Sun reported.
"At the last minute the meeting was postponed. Pod Save the King suspected classic internal politics, his family concerned that anything the Queen agreed during informal conversations would be used by Harry as a negotiating tactic."
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Suspected The Institution Of Conspiring Against Them?
The picture showed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex the future of the monarchy without them, and it allegedly made them feel that the firm was against them.
"The royal couple suspected that the entire institution was conspiring against them. As they saw it, the evidence was all around them," Morton wrote.
"The unspoken code was straightforward: the future of the monarchy was assured, with or without Meghan and Harry."
Days after the release of the said photo, the royal couple, who is now based in California, released a statement announcing their decision to step back from their royal duties.
"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 said. "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."
Stay tuned for more news and updates about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
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