Royal life
It is 36 months since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their decision to step away from their positions as senior royals. Here, we look back at the timeline of key moments since their shock announcement
January 2020
The couple surprise the world by announcing they intend to quit as senior royals, become financially independent and spend more time in North America. It’s agreed they will step away as working royals and will forfeit their HRH titles.
March 2020
The Sussexes attend their last official engagement, the annual Commonwealth Day service, before moving to a £11 million mansion in Montecito, California.
April 2020
The couple announce the replacement of their Sussex Royal brand, a charitable foundation, Archewell, named after their son, Archie, and confirm they will no longer cooperate with parts of the British media.
July 2020
Leaked court documents show Meghan claims she was ‘unprotected by the institution’ when stories were written about her and that she was ‘prohibited from defending herself’.
August 2020
The couple are forced to deny they cooperated with a book titled Finding Freedom.
September 2020
The Sussexes sign a deal with Netflix to create a range of content, reported to be worth $100 million. They pay back the £2.4 million of taxpayers’ money used to renovate Frogmore Cottage.
November 2020
In the New York Times, Meghan reveals she suffered a miscarriage in July.
December 2020
The couple sign a deal with audio service Spotify, thought to be worth millions.
February 2021
Meghan wins her High Court case against The Mail on Sunday after a two-year fight. The couple announce they are expecting their second child. Later that month, ‘Megxit’ becomes permanent, when the couple are stripped of their patronages. Harry is interviewed by James Corden, and claims the ‘toxic’ atmosphere created by the press forced him to leave the UK.
March 2021
The Times reports a bullying complaint against Meghan (which she denies) made by the couple’s former communications secretary, Jason Knauf, back in 2018. The Duchess says she is ‘saddened’ by the report, while Buckingham Palace says the HR team will investigate the claims but the report will not be published.
March 2021
The couple are interviewed by Oprah. Meghan claims the palace ‘perpetuated falsehoods’ about them and opens up about dealing with suicidal thoughts while pregnant with Archie. Ultimately, she says she decided not to go through with taking her own life so Harry ‘wouldn’t lose’ another woman close to him. The pair say questions were raised about what Archie’s skin tone will be like, while appearing to insinuate their son was not given a title due to his race. Harry speaks about his fractured relationship wit
