The story of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, which began as a modern-day fairytale, soon turned into a series of serious challenges for the former American actress. Their whirlwind romance led to a lavish wedding in May 2018, opening the doors of the British royal family to her—but also drawing her into a world of rigid protocols and relentless media scrutiny.
It quickly became clear that the duties and constant pressure were an unbearable burden for the Duchess of Sussex. In January 2020, the couple made an unprecedented decision—to step back from their roles as senior royals and pursue financial independence. This move sent shockwaves through the public and marked the start of a new, far more private chapter in their lives.
Just three months after their announcement, the Sussexes relocated to Los Angeles with their firstborn, Archie. However, the bustling metropolis did not become their permanent home. Seeking privacy and peace, the family moved in July of that year to the quiet and prestigious Montecito neighborhood in Santa Barbara, California. It was here they were able to put down roots and focus on what mattered most. In June 2021, their family grew—with the birth of their daughter Lilibet, further strengthening their resolve to build a future far from palace life.
This entire experience forced Meghan to reconsider many things, especially the importance of personal boundaries. She has repeatedly made it clear that living under the constant scrutiny of cameras and having every step strictly regulated was a significant psychological challenge for her. The need to protect her family and her own mental health pushed her to establish clearer and stronger boundaries between her private life and her public persona. This process continues today, as she and Prince Harry independently build their careers and public activities in the United States.
Incidentally, before meeting Prince Harry, Meghan Markle was already a successful and well-known actress. She gained her greatest popularity for her role as Rachel Zane in the legal drama series Suits, where she starred for seven seasons. Alongside her acting career, she was actively involved in humanitarian work and maintained her own lifestyle blog. Her entry into one of the world’s oldest monarchies was a landmark event, as Meghan is an American of mixed race and divorced. After moving to the United States, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed multi-million dollar deals with giants such as Netflix and Spotify. They also gave several high-profile interviews in which they spoke in detail about their reasons for leaving and the pressures they faced as members of the royal family. Their story continues to attract great interest worldwide, serving as an example of the difficult choice between duty and personal happiness.
