Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Why Harry and Meghan Left Royal Duties for America
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left their senior royal jobs in 2020.
They first hoped to create a different kind of role connected to the royal family.
They said harsh media coverage and safety concerns made royal life difficult.
Harry was especially worried because his mother, Princess Diana, had faced intense media attention before her death.
After leaving, the couple no longer received state-funded police protection.
They moved to Montecito, California, and began earning money independently.
They also spoke publicly about disagreements with members of the royal family.
Critics said they were criticizing the monarchy while still benefiting from their royal titles.
The move created a major and continuing rift within the royal family.
Harry and Meghan initially sought a hybrid role but ultimately stepped down as senior working royals in 2020.
They cited escalating media hostility, including what Harry described as racially charged attacks against Meghan, and concerns about family safety.
After losing state-funded police protection, Harry began a legal dispute with the UK Home Office over security arrangements.
The couple later made allegations about the royal family in an Oprah Winfrey interview, a Netflix documentary and Harry’s memoir Spare.
In California, they pursued financial independence and a separate public identity through Archewell and commercial projects.
- Who
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
- What
- They stepped down from senior working-royal roles and moved from the United Kingdom to the United States.
- When
- In 2020; the article says they are returning to the United Kingdom six years later.
- Where
- They moved to Montecito, California, in the United States.
- Why
- They cited media hostility, safety concerns, disagreements within the royal family and a desire for financial and public independence.
Harry and Meghan’s stated reasons
Critics’ interpretation
Media coverage
Harry and Meghan’s stated reasons
Harry and Meghan said relentless and, in Meghan’s case, racially charged tabloid attacks contributed to their decision to leave.
Critics’ interpretation
Royal commentators and critics portrayed the couple’s public criticism of the monarchy as damaging to the royal family.
Security
Harry and Meghan’s stated reasons
Harry argued that losing state-funded police protection created an unacceptable risk when returning to the United Kingdom with his family.
Critics’ interpretation
The article presents the security issue as part of a continuing legal dispute with the UK Home Office rather than as a settled agreement.
Royal titles and commercial work
Harry and Meghan’s stated reasons
The couple sought financial independence and a self-directed public identity through Archewell and commercial projects after leaving royal duties.
Critics’ interpretation
Critics accused them of hypocrisy, arguing that they used their royal titles for commercial gain while disparaging the monarchy.
Family allegations
Harry and Meghan’s stated reasons
The couple publicly described institutional neglect and other personal disagreements within the royal family, including claims made in the Oprah interview and Harry’s memoir.
Critics’ interpretation
The disclosures intensified the royal rift and were viewed by critics as further attacks on the monarchy.
- Departure
- Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior working royals in 2020.
- Initial plan
- The couple originally sought a hybrid role connected to the royal family.
- New home
- They established their base in Montecito, California.
- Security dispute
- Harry pursued a legal battle with the UK Home Office after state-funded police protection was withdrawn.
- Public disclosures
- They discussed royal-family disagreements in a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, a Netflix documentary and Harry’s 2023 memoir Spare.
- Independent work
- The couple pursued commercial ventures and established the Archewell Foundation.
- Press label
- The departure was widely dubbed “Megxit” by the press.