Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s exit from the royal family may not have been as sudden as it once appeared. New reports claim palace aides had struggled for months to define a role that would keep the couple within the royal framework.
According to insiders, discussions repeatedly stalled as expectations differed on both sides. The allegations offer another perspective on the events leading up to their headline-making departure in 2020.
No Royal role worked out for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry before exit, says source
According to claims reported by RadarOnline, palace officials were aware that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were exploring opportunities beyond traditional royal duties prior to their January 2020 announcement.
The couple had supposedly proposed a “half-in, half-out” arrangement, hoping to balance royal responsibilities with greater independence. When that proposal failed to materialize, they ultimately relocated to California in pursuit of “financial independence.”
A senior palace source, quoted in author Russell Myers’ biography, “William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story,” alleged that royal aides had spent months attempting to design a workable role for the Sussexes. “We’d spent months trying to work out a role for them,” the source claimed, adding that each potential solution eventually ran into practical or institutional barriers.
Palace officials reportedly explored several options behind the scenes. One idea was to relocate the couple abroad. However, suggestions such as Harry taking on a ceremonial role in Canada were said to be unworkable due to constitutional requirements.
Other proposals connected to charitable work overseas allegedly raised security concerns or conflicted with existing royal roles. According to the source, finding an arrangement that satisfied both the couple’s wishes and royal protocol proved difficult.
The same insider further alleged that palace aides were aware the couple “were intent on signing commercial deals,” which they believed would be difficult to reconcile with official royal duties. When discussions turned to defining what a “progressive new role” might look like, the insider claimed officials asked the couple for more specific proposals but received “nothing in return.”
Following their move to Montecito, California, the couple signed major commercial agreements, including a reported Netflix deal later in 2020 and a podcast partnership with Spotify. Observers at the time viewed those moves as evidence supporting earlier speculation about their long-term plans.
