The turning point in their relationship occurred after Prince Harry married Meghan Markle, and the couple faced difficulties adjusting to life within the royal institution. In response to these challenges, the couple made the decision to depart from the monarchy in 2020, relocating to the United States.
Since their departure, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have made several allegations against the Royal Family, publicly criticizing them on various occasions. Their Netflix docuseries included a moment where Prince Harry revealed a particularly contentious episode involving Prince William. In the series, Harry recalled how a joint palace statement was issued to address bullying allegations, a statement to which he claimed he did not give his consent. This incident deepened the rift between the two brothers.
Prince Harry explained that the story insinuated that William had bullied them into leaving the family. He expressed his shock and dismay when he learned of the joint statement issued in his and his brother’s names without his approval. This incident left Meghan Markle in tears, as it seemed that the institution was willing to protect Prince William by lying, while it had not shown the same willingness to protect Harry and Meghan over the course of three years.
Dr. Ed Owens, a royal historian and expert, has expressed concern about the public airing of grievances by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, which he believes has tarnished the image of the family monarchy. The couple’s highly publicized criticism of royal relatives, particularly King Charles and Prince William, has also strained their relationships with other members of the Royal Family, including the Princess of Wales and Queen Camilla. Dr. Owens believes that these actions have caused significant damage to the traditional image of the royal family as a united and harmonious group representing the epitome of British family life.
During an appearance on the Mirror’s Pod Save The King podcast, Dr. Owens suggested that it might be time for the monarchy to relinquish its image as a family-centered institution. He explained that the story of the family monarchy is somewhat tragic, as it has undermined the notion of a unified family monarchy that embodies the best aspects of British family life. Initially, King Charles III’s reign was envisioned as one where he would receive support from his two reliable lieutenants, William and Harry. However, the ongoing public disputes and criticisms have called this image into question, creating a need for reevaluation within the monarchy.
