More than six years after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back as senior working royals, debate over the consequences of their departure continues. As Meghan Markle celebrated her 45th birthday on August 4, royal commentators and authors have renewed discussion over whether the Sussexes’ departure permanently weakened the British monarchy—or whether it ultimately strengthened the institution.
The renewed conversation comes after Harry and Meghan’s private reunion with King Charles and Queen Camilla in July, fueling speculation that some family relationships may be improving, even as tensions reportedly remain elsewhere within the royal family.
Read more: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s relationship with the royal family continues to generate headlines years after their departure, with every reported interaction drawing renewed attention. If you’re following the latest developments surrounding the Sussexes, our Tyler Perry Harry and Meghan loan dispute rumor explained article separates fact from speculation surrounding another story involving one of the couple’s closest Hollywood allies.
Why experts believe Harry and Meghan’s departure changed the monarchy
According to royal author Catherine Mayer, whose book Divide & Rule examines the modern monarchy, the split between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and the royal family caused “very serious damage” to the institution.
“I believe that the rupture in the family that saw Meghan and Harry go to the United States has done very serious damage to the monarchy,” Mayer told Fox News Digital.
However, she stressed that she does not blame the couple alone for what happened.
“But to say that is not to say that I blame them for what happened. It’s often taken as a criticism: ‘Look what they’ve done to the monarchy.’ I think this has been very painful for everybody and for the institution, but you need only look at the latest polling on the popularity of the monarchy to see that it is losing ground.”
Harry and Meghan stepped away from royal duties in 2020, citing intense British media scrutiny and a lack of institutional support. After relocating to California, they publicly discussed their experiences through interviews, documentaries and Prince Harry’s 2023 memoir Spare, which further strained family relationships.
Continue reading: While experts remain divided over how the Sussexes’ departure has affected the monarchy, questions about Prince Harry’s future relationship with the institution continue to surface. Our Why palace aides don’t trust Prince Harry, according to reports story examines another perspective on why rebuilding trust within royal circles may still be an uphill battle.
Timeline of the royal family rift and recent developments
| Date | Event |
| 2020 | Prince Harry and Meghan Markle step down as senior working royals and move to California. |
| 2021 | Oprah Winfrey interview sparks worldwide debate about the royal family. |
| 2022 | Meghan’s previous visit to England before the recent family reunion. |
| 2023 | Prince Harry releases Spare, deepening tensions with the royal family. |
| July 10, 2026 | Harry and Meghan privately meet King Charles III and Queen Camilla—Meghan’s first return to England since 2022. |
| July 2026 | Meghan reportedly skips public appearances because security concerns prevent their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, from making the full UK trip. |
| August 4, 2026 | Meghan Markle celebrates her 45th birthday amid renewed debate over her royal legacy. |
Another major issue surrounding Harry’s UK visits remains security. Since stepping down as working royals, the couple lost taxpayer-funded protection, something Harry has repeatedly sought to have reinstated, arguing that it is necessary for his family’s safety.
You may also enjoy: The timeline highlights how Harry and Meghan’s relationship with the royal family has continued to evolve through major public and private moments. Another recent report, Prince Harry’s visit to Howard Spooner’s nightclub, offers a different glimpse into one of the Duke of Sussex’s UK appearances and the reaction it generated.
Experts disagree over whether the monarchy lost one of its biggest modern assets
Mayer argued that although public approval of the monarchy has also suffered because of Prince Andrew’s association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Harry and Meghan represented something the institution has struggled to replace.
She believes the Sussexes had a unique ability to connect with younger generations.
“The only ones who can potentially do it are Kate and William, and they’re more of a small ‘c’ conservative in their approach.”
She added that there is now a generational gap, with Prince George still too young to fill that space.
“Harry and Meghan are basically the same age, but they had this appeal, a much broader appeal, and that’s been lost now.”
Royal broadcaster Ian Pelham Turner believes the family divisions remain significant despite signs of reconciliation.
He claimed there are still “major cracks in the royal family”, particularly between King Charles and Prince William, adding that Harry’s reported ability to once again use Buckingham Palace during UK visits could represent “a breakthrough for Meghan and a heart-piercing wound for William.”
Catch our coverage: Much of the current debate centers on what the monarchy looks like without Harry and Meghan playing active royal roles. Our Prince William’s vision for the future of the monarchy article explores how the Prince of Wales is reportedly approaching the institution’s next chapter and the changes that could shape its future.
Meghan’s role inside the royal family remains one of the biggest talking points
Mayer also addressed the long-running allegations regarding Meghan’s treatment of palace staff.
She explained that reports of internal friction existed long before the allegations became public.
“We’re talking about people who were very bruised by the experience, which includes her as well… there were real frictions between the brothers, William and Harry, as well as between the women and within the palace system.”
According to Mayer, Meghan underestimated how firmly the monarchy protects the reigning monarch and direct heir.
“I don’t think Meghan really understood that the monarchy will always give preference to the monarch and the immediate heir.”
She also suggested palace insiders became uncomfortable whenever an individual appeared more popular than the institution itself.
“The last thing they wanted to do was make her into some big star.”
Read next: Meghan’s position within the royal family continues to be analyzed years after stepping back from royal duties, particularly whenever public perception becomes part of the discussion. A different aspect of that conversation is explored in our Prince William and Meghan Markle’s 2026 Emmy nominations story, which looks at how both continue to attract attention in very different arenas.
Other royal experts argue the monarchy became stronger without the Sussexes
Not every royal commentator agrees with Mayer’s assessment.
Royal expert Hilary Fordwich argued that Harry and Meghan deliberately damaged the institution.
“Harry and Meghan didn’t just make a silly mistake. They have undertaken a fundamentally damaging, deliberate strategy to undermine the royals, which is unforgivable.”
Fordwich believes King Charles and Prince William now oversee a “narrower, more disciplined monarchy.”
Similarly, broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard said adapting to royal life is essential.
“The House of Windsor may appear rigid, but it has run like clockwork and survived through history.”
She argued that while both Princess Catherine and Meghan entered the family as outsiders, only one fully adapted to the institution.
Chard also believes reconciliation remains possible but warned:
“Trust takes years to rebuild.”
Looking for more royal news? As commentators continue debating the long-term impact of Harry and Meghan’s departure, interest also remains high in how the couple are raising their family outside royal life. Our Prince Harry and Meghan’s reported plans involving Archie, Lilibet, and Princess Diana’s Althorp estate article explores another story centered on the Sussexes’ life beyond the monarchy.
What’s next for Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and the royal family?
While King Charles’ reported relationship with Meghan appears to have softened following the family’s private summer reunion, reports continue to suggest that relations with Prince William and Princess Catherine remain distant.
Whether the Sussexes eventually become more involved with the royal family again remains uncertain. However, as Meghan marks another birthday, experts continue to debate one central question: Did Harry and Meghan’s departure permanently weaken Britain’s monarchy, or did it simply accelerate changes that were already underway?
Explore more: Whether reconciliation ultimately happens or not, Prince Harry’s relationship with the monarchy continues to evolve through every reported meeting and public appearance. For more on the challenges surrounding that relationship, read our Why palace aides don’t trust Prince Harry, according to reports feature, which examines another factor shaping discussions about his future role.
Disclaimer
This article is based on extensive research and reporting from publicly available sources, primarily Fox News Digital, including comments from royal author Catherine Mayer, royal broadcaster Ian Pelham Turner, royal expert Hilary Fordwich, and broadcaster Helena Chard. The views and opinions quoted are those of the individuals cited and do not necessarily reflect established facts or the position of this publication.
Sources
Image Credit: Mark Jones / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0
Leave a Reply