by Emily Swope ’22, Feature Writer

In addition to the Brexit news developing across the pond, the gossip around “Megxit,” Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s separation from the Royal Family, has permeated U.S. pop culture. While being a Duke or Duchess, receiving financial support, and being some of the most well-known individuals in the world sounds appealing to some, the new parents found this to be a negative environment in which they could no longer live. Even though Meghan and Harry made the decision to escape the royal spotlight for the interest of their family, at what cost did they risk everything, and was it really worth it?

First of all, what sparked Harry and Meghan’s unprecedented step away from the Royal Family? Since the beginning of their relationship, their marriage, and the birth of their first son, Meghan has been under constant scrutiny from the press and on social media. As an American, biracial actress, and feminist, Meghan was not the traditional member of the Royal Family of Sussex, leaving her vulnerable to negative comments and abuse on social media, in the news, and on television.

Over time, this negativity, in addition to the strict rules set by the Royal Family, became too much for Meghan. According to CNN, Harry and Meghan publicly announced that they would step back from their senior roles as members of the Royal Family in hopes that they could pursue a hybrid relationship that involves independence while maintaining respect for the Queen. Unfortunately, the Palace only offered two choices: full independence or full responsibility as part of the Royal Family.

For the sake of their own well-being, the pair chose independence over complete abidance to the Palace’s strict rules. However, freedom came with significant sacrifices; as part of becoming independent from the Royal Family, they no longer use their His and Her Royal Highness titles. In addition to the forfeiture of their titles, the couple lost a significant monetary sum as a part of their separation. Not only do they lose continuous public funding from taxpayers, according to AP News, Harry and Meghan need to repay approximately $3.1 million of public funding that was used to renovate their home near Windsor Castle, Frogmore Cottage.  

Between the significant financial losses and the symbolic power losses, did Harry and Meghan really make the right decision to sever their ties to the Royal Family? Does independence really outweigh the sacrifices necessary to achieve it? According to the couple, they have no regrets and the “sky’s the limit!” By choosing independence, the couple explains that they will balance their time between continents while still “continuing to honour [their] duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and [their] patronage.” They can also raise their son with an appreciation of and connection to the Royal Family, while also maintaining space as an independent family to grow and move on to the next chapter of their lives. Therefore, Prince Harry is not abandoning his family, despite his family’s and society’s public opinions.

Harry and Meghan made the bold decision to separate from the Royal Family because of their love for each other, themselves, and their son. While they had to make significant sacrifices, their love for each other and their need for independence outweighed everything else. So perhaps Harry and Meghan have traded some people’s ideal “fairy tale” for what truly matters in a loving relationship: the needs, well-being, and happiness of yourself and the ones you love.