Why Prince Charles Knew Meghan Wouldn't Last In The Royal Family
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle officially stepped down as senior royals on March 31, 2020, per the Los Angeles Times, and lost the titles of "His/Her Royal Highness." The couple left the U.K. and first stopped in Canada before setting up a new home in Los Angeles with their son, Archie. And it's no wonder they did. From Meghan's early introduction into royal life, she was the target of British news and tabloids.
Historian and royal expert Marlene Koenig spoke to Time about Harry and Meghan in early 2020, saying, "I think they're really, really tired of all these articles condemning Meghan for everything." While their departure from royal life was groundbreaking for the British monarchy, Harry's father and heir to the throne, Prince Charles, reportedly wasn't surprised by their decision.
In fact, following the couple's exit, author Nigel Cawthorne, author of Prince Andrew: Epstein and the Palace, spoke about Prince Charles' foresight and why he knew his daughter-in-law might not find her groove in royal life.
Prince Charles foresaw Meghan and Harry shaking things up
In June 2020, author Nigel Cawthorne spoke with The Sun about Prince Charles' lack of surprise when Meghan Markle and his son, Prince Harry, announced they planned to step back from their royal duties. When discussing the royal family, Cawthorne uses the term "The Firm," which "is what people inside and outside Buckingham Palace call the business side of the British royal family," per Page Six.
Cawthorne told The Sun, "I think [Chares] foresaw considerable problems ahead for The Firm." He continued, "Harry and Meghan amplified the popularity of the royal family in the way that Prince Andrew and Fergie did at the time." The royal author added, "However, for the sake of The Firm he will feel this outcome is better that the monarchy is small in size rather than a constellation of stars in separate orbits."
While the Sussexes decision was unusual, Charles reportedly "genuinely made an attempt to support what Harry and Meghan were looking for as long as it wouldn't upset other HRH's." Despite being heir to the throne, there wasn't much Charles "could do apart from offering moral support."
Even though "Prince Charles admires Meghan for her strength," according to a Daily Mail insider, in the U.K., it just wasn't working. Cawthorne noted, "I think he [Prince Charles] likes strong women, but in The Firm there is only room for one Queen."