Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s proposal to become “part-time working royals” reportedly left some senior royal insiders furious, particularly over the couple’s language and expectations during their royal exit five years ago.
When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their intention to step back from full-time royal duties in early 2020, they shocked the monarchy and the public alike. Rather than severing ties completely, the couple expressed a desire to redefine their roles within the royal institution.
In their official statement at the time, the Sussexes explained: “We will continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, the Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties.” They emphasized that their aim was not to abandon royal responsibilities, but rather to “create a progressive new role within this institution” while also working toward financial independence.
However, that word — “collaborate” — reportedly raised eyebrows within Buckingham Palace. A senior Palace insider told the Daily Mail: “No one collaborates with the Queen. This is not one of those ‘Kate Moss Top Shop tie-ups.’” The remark reflected what many saw as a fundamental misunderstanding by the couple of how the monarchy operates.
Another royal source added, “Her Late Majesty was nobody’s fool and knew that the chances were, it would all end in disaster.” The Queen, widely known for her deep understanding of the monarchy’s delicate balance between tradition and duty, was reportedly skeptical of the couple’s proposed hybrid model from the start.
Indeed, the Sussexes’ hopes of maintaining royal duties while pursuing commercial projects were ultimately rejected. The Palace concluded that such an arrangement would blur lines between public service and private profit, potentially damaging the Crown’s reputation.
Since stepping down, Harry and Meghan have fully relocated to California, where they now reside in their Montecito estate. Their lifestyle is sustained by high-profile media and business ventures in the United States, including deals with Netflix and Spotify, as well as Harry’s memoir Spare. These endeavors help fund their considerable expenses, which include private security and property maintenance.
Although the Sussexes maintain occasional contact with the royal family, their roles as working royals have effectively ceased. Their initial proposal, once described as a bold attempt to modernize the monarchy, is now largely viewed as a misstep that underscored deeper tensions within the institution — tensions that continue to echo across both sides of the Atlantic.