Meghan Markle’s entry into the Royal Family brought lasting change to the monarchy’s approach to charity and public service, according to a royal expert.
The Duchess of Sussex, who married Prince Harry in 2018, is being credited with encouraging the royals to take a more modern and hands-on approach to philanthropy. Royal commentator Afua Hagan told reporters that Meghan’s involvement “forced everybody to up their game” and helped broaden the family’s focus to include more diverse and socially relevant causes.
“When Meghan joined the Royal Family, she kind of forced everybody to up their game when it came to philanthropy,” Hagan said. “The causes that Meghan wanted to work with, and one of the most prominent ones, was Grenfell.”
Hagan was referring to Meghan’s work with the survivors of the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London, which killed 72 people. The Duchess collaborated with a group of women affected by the tragedy to create the charity cookbook Together: Our Community Cookbook, which raised funds for the community kitchen supporting displaced families.
“Suddenly, it seemed like the Royals were working on really, you know, different projects and things that they possibly wouldn’t have been involved in beforehand,” Hagan added.
Meghan’s influence, according to experts, helped bring a renewed energy to the royal family’s charitable efforts. Her focus on women’s empowerment, mental health, and social inclusion marked a shift toward issues that resonated with younger audiences and global communities.
Prince Harry and Meghan stepped back from their royal duties in 2020, citing personal and institutional challenges. Their decision, widely known as “Megxit,” sparked intense public debate and marked a turning point in modern royal history.
The couple later accused the royal institution of showing racial bias toward their son, Prince Archie, and discussed their struggles with mental health and media pressure during a televised interview. Despite their departure, royal observers say Meghan’s influence on the family’s charitable direction continues to be felt.
Since relocating to California, Harry and Meghan have continued their philanthropic work through their Archewell Foundation, focusing on initiatives related to compassion, community, and digital responsibility.
While their relationship with the royal family remains strained, experts like Hagan believe Meghan’s impact has had a lasting positive effect. “Her presence made everyone reflect on what they were doing and why,” Hagan said. “She made the monarchy more aware of the world outside palace walls — and that’s a good thing.”