Prince Harry and Meghan Markle initially hoped King Charles would allow them to adopt a “six-month plan” to balance royal duties and their life in the U.S., an arrangement Queen Elizabeth firmly opposed. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex originally proposed spending half the year as working royals in the UK and the other half in the United States.
However, Queen Elizabeth rejected the idea of a “half in, half out” royal role. Following the rejection, Harry and Meghan relocated to the U.S. permanently, where they now reside with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Royal author Tom Quinn told The Mirror that the couple had anticipated a more flexible approach under King Charles.
“Meghan and Harry had always hoped that when Queen Elizabeth died, Charles would take a less strict view of what it means to be a working royal,” he said. According to Quinn, the Sussexes believed the arrangement would be mutually beneficial. “Six months in the UK as a working Royal followed by six months in the States would boost brand Sussex, which is less and less interesting without the working Royal angle,” he explained.
Quinn further argued that Harry’s appeal in the United States might have been stronger if he had retained his working royal status. “Americans would’ve found Harry more interesting if he hadn’t stepped down as a working royal,” he said. The couple’s departure from royal duties in 2020 and their subsequent move to California have been key points of contention within the royal family.
He said: “The American public would have much preferred it if Harry had not given up his Royal role – that’s all he’s ever been trained for and that’s the main thing that made him interesting. Now he’s lost that, why should anyone in the States be interested – and Meghan hates the idea that she might be pulled down by this.”
While Harry and Meghan have pursued various ventures in the U.S., including media deals and charitable work, their distance from the royal institution has prompted ongoing speculation about their future roles and public image. As King Charles continues to define his reign, it remains unclear whether any flexibility might be extended to the Sussexes or if the strict boundaries set during Queen Elizabeth’s reign will remain in place.