Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced on this day in 2020 that they wanted to step down from royal duties and “work to become financially independent”. The couple, who now reside in California, also vowed that they wanted to seek a private life, with a key focus on making sure to keep their children out of the spotlight.
Although many have questioned whether the couple have achieved their desire to live a “private life”, US-based royal expert Marlene Koenig has shared that she believes they have achieved the life that they desperately wanted due to one major thing. Speaking to the Daily Express, she said: “I think we overuse the word ‘private life’. Meghan and Harry have achieved a private life because they control their narrative.”
She added that due to their mansion being located in a gated community, Meghan and Harry have everything they wanted.
Ms Koenig said: “Yes, they are seen publicly at events, but when they leave, they return to the gated community in Montecito where they live.”
Today marks six years since the couple’s annoucement, which included a post shared to their former joint Instagram account.
The post, alongside a picture of the couple, read: “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. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment.
“We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages.
“This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity.
“We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.”
The couple now reside in Montecito with their children, six-year-old Prince Archie, who was born in the UK in 2019, and four-year-old Princess Lilibet, who was born a year after their move to the US.