Nothing has gone according to Meghan and Prince Harry’s plans, royal commentator Omid Scobie has claimed. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been relentlessly hit by challenges coming their way and disrupting their original projects, according to the co-author of the biography Finding Freedom.
The author added these issues have strengthened Meghan and Harry’s already strong bond and made them an even better team.
He told Vanity Fair: “They’ve proved that they can master the challenge when it comes their way.
“When you look at everything they’ve faced, nothing has gone to plan but they’ve remained positive, and it’s the support they give each other that gets them through.”
The exit as senior royals Harry and Meghan outlined in an announcement published one year ago today didn’t go as they had planned.
The couple asked to become part-time working royals, a position which would have allowed them to become financially independent from the Sovereign Grant through profitable deals while also carrying out tours and visits on behalf of the monarch.
However, their outlined plan was heavily changed by the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William, who discussed with Prince Harry the terms of his and Meghan’s exit from the Royal Family in mid-January last year.
As a result of what is now known as the Sandringham summit, Meghan and Harry had to relinquish the use of their HRH styles, honours granted only to royals close to the line of succession.
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They also had to stop using the word royal for commercial purposes, including in their branding, and give up their right to carry out royal engagements on behalf of the Crown.
Moreover, to be able to live abroad and pursue financial deals, Prince Harry was asked to give up his beloved honorary military titles.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were allowed to retain their patronages, their position as president and vice-president of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust and their titles.
DON’T MISS
Just hours after the deal was disclosed, the Duke of Sussex spoke about Megxit and how the terms struck were not what he had hope for.
Speaking to a charity event held to honour his charity Sentebale, Prince Harry said: “What I want to make clear is we’re not walking away, and we certainly aren’t walking away from you.
“Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the commonwealth, and my military associations, but without public funding.
“Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible.
“I’ve accepted this, knowing that it doesn’t change who I am or how committed I am.
“But I hope that helps you understand what it had to come to, that I would step my family back from all I have ever known, to take a step forward into what I hope can be a more peaceful life.”
During the first months in their post-royal lives, the Sussexes met other issues.
The coronavirus pandemic delayed the launch of the Archewell Foundation as the royals decided to focus their attention on supporting their patronages and local community in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.
Meghan and Harry also faced a very personal challenge in July, when the Duchess of Sussex suffered a miscarriage.
The Duchess opened up on her tragic experience a few months later, in an op-ed published on the New York Times.
Her essay was hailed by several people who had experienced baby loss as brave and inspirational.
Charities focused on supporting those who have been hit by this tragedy also spoke about the positive impact the Duchess’ article would have on breaking down the taboo surrounding losing a child.
