Even after relocating to California and stepping back from royal duties, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have often remained in the public and media spotlight.
In 2020, Markle and Prince Harry gave up their roles as senior royals, but just a year later, they made headlines again with their surprising interview with Oprah Winfrey.
During the interview, Prince Harry expressed frustration over his family’s silence concerning the media’s coverage of Markle, which he described as having “colonial undertones.”
He noted that while female MPs had spoken out against the unfair treatment, his own family chose not to address it.
The royal couple has openly criticized the U.K. media, accusing it of promoting a harmful culture rooted in “control and fear.”
In 2016, Kensington Palace released a statement on Prince Harry’s behalf, condemning the media for its racial bias and intrusive coverage of Markle.
Prince Harry’s strong condemnation of the press highlighted his concerns for Markle’s safety and his frustration over not being able to shield her.
However, his public criticism reportedly created tension with King Charles and Prince William, who allegedly felt it portrayed them negatively for not defending their own spouses in the same way.
In his memoir, Spare, Prince Harry mentioned that this statement led to conflict within the family.
Now, Markle has undergone a professional “separation” from her husband.
The couple has always operated as a united front, but their recent focus on individual projects has fueled speculation about changes in their working relationship, according to the Mirror.
Markle and Prince Harry have acknowledged that they are at a “crossroads” in their professional pursuits.
The duchess previously compared their relationship to “salt and pepper,” highlighting how they are inseparable yet have unique roles.
However, recent developments suggest that the couple may now be following separate paths, putting this metaphor into action.
While Markle attended a Thanksgiving event organized by the Southern California Welcome Project in partnership with their Archewell Foundation, Prince Harry was fulfilling his commitments for the Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada.
At the Southern California event, the duchess shared her appreciation for the chance to connect with women who had relocated to the United States from Afghanistan.
Markle made a sincere statement emphasizing the evening’s theme of gratitude and resilience.
She said, “This initiative, led by the partner organization Mina’s List, has spent the past year building community through storytelling and creating a safe space for women who have resettled in the U.S. from Afghanistan. The evening included a shared meal that encouraged open conversation centered on gratitude and resilience.
The Duchess expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the attendees for sharing their personal stories and cultural experiences, emphasizing her enthusiasm for future gatherings.
While Markle was hosting in California, Prince Harry was in Canada participating in events linked to the Invictus Games, which he established in 2014.
The duke and duchess recently appeared together on Veteran’s Day to honor service members from both the U.S. and the U.K., demonstrating their continued dedication to common causes despite their separate professional pursuits.
The couple is expected to reunite for the Invictus Games in February 2025, with speculation that their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, may make a rare public appearance.
While Markle and Harry seem to be pursuing new directions in their professional lives, their shared goals and public appearances indicate that their dedication to their family and causes remains as strong as ever.
