Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is preparing an imminent return to the United Kingdom after six years of living in California with Prince Harry.
The planned relocation comes after the couple stepped back from royal duties in 2020 to settle in Montecito, California. Commentator Jan Moir reports that the Duchess is set to return to a country and royal family she has previously described as toxic, racist, and dangerous, following a six-year deal to remain in the United States.
Meghan, a former American actress who married Prince Harry at Windsor Castle in May 2018, departed Britain carrying her yoga mat, baby son Archie, and husband. Dubbed Megx-a-geddon following earlier media terms such as Megxit, Megxpat, and Megxile, the return marks the end of their flight on Huffy Airways to build a commercial brand in North America.
Reflecting on their departure four years ago, Meghan recalled the friction within the royal household during a magazine interview. "Just by existing," the Duchess said, "we were upsetting the dynamic of the hierarchy. So, we go OK fine, let's get out of here. Happy to."
The couple initially intended to escape the burden of inherited wealth and privilege while carving out fame comparable to Michelle Obama or Martha Stewart. Proposed endeavors ranged from bouquet-tying tips in a luxury craft barn to shaping American politics with a rainbow fruit platter and upside-down jam tongs. However, the Duchess did not discover a cure for Covid or secure Taylor Swift for her podcast.
Past Grievances and Public Claims
During a 2021 television interview with Oprah Winfrey, the Sussexes made several wide-ranging allegations against the monarchy. Meghan claimed that the Royal Family refused to grant Prince Archie the title of prince and denied him security protection. She also stated that she experienced suicidal thoughts without permission to see a therapist, and alleged that the couple held a secret wedding prior to their official ceremony.
Describing her isolation within the royal estate, Meghan told Winfrey, "There was very little that I was allowed to do. So, of course, that breeds loneliness when you've come from such a full life, or when you've come from freedom."
The Duchess has previously highlighted numerous personal slights during her time in Britain, including a disagreement over bridesmaids' tights, restrictions against wearing bright colors, and strict protocols regarding nude pantyhose. Additional friction involved Catherine, the Princess of Wales, allegedly refusing an offer of lip balm, and Prince William pointing at Meghan during an argument.
California Projects and Commercial Ventures
In California, the Duchess starred in her Netflix show With Love, Meghan, alongside her lifestyle brand As Ever. The commercial brand markets items including teas, jams, candles, chocolates, petals, and wine. Production of the factory jams was linked to soft fruit harvested from raspberry beds at their Montecito estate, where they also keep bees, host mahjong nights with Winfrey, and maintain a chicken coop called the Chick Inn. Questions remain over whether the brand will survive the move, or if Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, will also relocate to Britain.
Despite commercial ambitions, several media ventures yielded modest results. Prince Harry's primary personal milestone over six years in California was learning to surf. Meghan appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia, while other prominent British television positions eluded her, including Nigella Lawson securing The Great British Bake Off and new hosts replacing Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly on Strictly Come Dancing, alongside potential spots on Countdown. Satirical commentators have likened the return to movie sequels such as The Duchess Always Rings Twice, The Meg-Pire Strikes Back, Nightmare on Realm Street, and The Megxorcist.
Their commercial drive was evident as early as 2019, when Prince Harry promoted his wife to a Disney executive on a red carpet, asking, "You know she does voiceovers?"
Public Opinion and Royal Stance
The return occurs amidst low public approval figures in Great Britain. A YouGov poll conducted last month revealed that the Duchess of Sussex holds an approval rating of 22 per cent, making her one of the most disliked members of the Royal Family, with only Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, polling lower.
The move places pressure on Prince William, the heir apparent, to forge a reconciliation. The Sussexes previously criticized William's wife Catherine and made accusations against the royal household during the final years of Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II. Although Harry recently stated that "there is no point in continuing to fight any more, life is precious," he had also remarked that he could not "see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the UK."
While returning as non-working royals, commentators suspect the Sussexes intend to resume royal roles on their own terms. Potential absences from major public occasions such as Royal Ascot, Trooping the Colour, and Remembrance Sunday could risk making the Royal Family appear petty, following Prince Harry's belief that the Windsors were jealous of Meghan because she outshone them at royal duties. As arrival in the Cotswolds approaches, the couple exchanges California sunshine for Middle England's dark winter, leaving observers to ponder whether As Ever honey will still be served for tea.
