When did Harry and Meghan quit?

In January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced that they were stepping back from their roles as senior members of the British royal family. This decision, often referred to as “Megxit” in the media, came after months of tensions between the couple and the monarchy regarding issues of privacy, royal duties, and relations with the press. Their exit from royal life was a historic moment that captured global attention and raised many questions about what led the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to make such a dramatic change.

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When did they officially quit?

Harry and Meghan announced their intention to step back in an Instagram post on January 8, 2020. However, their exit took some time to be finalized, as negotiations had to take place with the Queen and other senior royals regarding the details.

After a summit at Sandringham Estate on January 13, 2020, the Queen issued a statement supporting the couple’s wish for a more independent life. It was agreed there would be a “period of transition” where the Sussexes would divide their time between the UK and Canada.

On January 18, 2020, Buckingham Palace announced the final terms of Harry and Meghan’s exit, which would take effect in the spring of 2020. This included:

Harry and Meghan would no longer use their HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) titles
They would no longer formally represent the Queen

They would no longer receive public funds for royal duties
They would split their time between North America and the UK

So while they announced their intention to step back on January 8, the deal was not finalized until mid-January. Their last official royal engagement was the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2020.

Why did they quit?

Harry and Meghan have not provided an explicit, definitive reason for their decision to quit. However, through various statements and interviews, a few factors emerge as likely contributing to their exit:

Desire for privacy – The intense media scrutiny and lack of privacy was very difficult for them to cope with.
Treatment by tabloids – They were deeply unhappy with the often critical, hostile coverage by the British tabloids.

Restrictive royal rules – They found some of the old-fashioned royal protocols constraining.
Racist attitudes – As a biracial American, Meghan faced racist attacks that were not adequately condemned.
Feeling unsupported – They felt that the monarchy did not do enough to protect and support them from damaging media stories.

Desire for independence – They wanted to pursue their own paths without the constraints of royal duties.

Essentially, Harry and Meghan found the scrutiny, lack of privacy, restrictive rules, and racial undertones extremely challenging. These factors eventually led them to pursue a life outside the confines of the traditional royal family structure.

Where did they move after quitting?

After announcing their intention to step back in January 2020, Harry and Meghan spent time in Canada on Vancouver Island. However, this was intended to be a temporary stay.

In March 2020, they relocated to California, where Meghan was originally from. They first stayed in Los Angeles before eventually settling down in the coastal city of Montecito in Santa Barbara County.

In July 2020, it was reported that Harry and Meghan had purchased a home in Montecito for $14.7 million. The luxury estate has 9 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms, along with extensive grounds and ocean views.

California seems to be their permanent base now that they’ve stepped back from royal life. The move allows them to be closer to Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland, who also lives in Los Angeles.

Montecito provides them more seclusion and privacy compared to the bustle of Los Angeles. Fellow celebrities like Oprah Winfrey also own properties in the exclusive neighborhood.

Have they taken on any other roles or jobs?

Yes, Harry and Meghan have begun developing their professional careers outside of the royal family. Some of their business ventures and roles include:

Netflix deal – In September 2020, they signed a multi-year deal with Netflix to produce documentaries, docuseries, feature films, and children’s programming. They founded the production company Archewell Productions for this work.

Spotify deal – Also in 2020, the couple signed a deal to host and produce podcasts for Spotify through Archewell Audio.
Harry’s jobs – Harry has taken an executive position at BetterUp, a mental health services startup in Silicon Valley. He is also joining Aspen Institute’s new Commission on Information Disorder.
Meghan’s investments – Meghan has invested in companies like Clevr Blends and Ellevest through her investment firm Palko.

The high-profile deals with major media companies like Netflix and Spotify are likely to be very lucrative for Harry and Meghan. Their production of documentaries, films, podcasts and other content will allow them to advocate for the causes they care about.

Overall, they have wasted no time in leveraging their global fame and influence to secure new sources of income and creative outlets outside the confines of royal life.

How has the British public reacted to their exit?

The British public’s reaction to “Megxit” has been mixed, though polls indicate more negative than positive views overall:

YouGov poll in January 2020 found only 26% of Britons supported their decision to step back from royal duties.
In February 2021, over two-thirds believed they should be stripped of their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles.
Their interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021 was criticized by some for making unfair accusations about the royal family.

But others expressed sympathy for the racism and scrutiny they faced.
In April 2021, YouGov found over half thought the interview was inappropriate.

Factors shaping public opinion include:

Media coverage – Tabloids have been largely unsympathetic towards the couple.
Divided views on royalty – Some see royalty as outdated, others defend the traditions.
British pride – Their criticisms of the royals have offended some nationalists.

Sussex supporters – But many still admire Harry and Meghan and support their choices.

While there is no unanimous view, the British public leans more disapproving than approving overall regarding Harry and Meghan’s dramatic break from royal life. But a sizeable minority continues to back the Sussexes despite the controversies.

How is their relationship with the royal family now?

Harry and Meghan now have a strained relationship with the royal family after stepping back from official duties:

Limited contact – They have limited interactions with Prince William, Kate, and other royals since moving.
Reconciliation hopes – But there are hopes that Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 could facilitate reconciliation.
Media leaks – Unauthorized leaks to the media have strained relations.

Rift with Prince William – Harry has alluded to distance growing between him and his brother.
Blaming “The Firm” – Harry has said the royal institution failed to support Meghan.
Impact on the Queen – The drama has reportedly been upsetting for the 96-year-old monarch.

While the Queen has emphasized that Harry and Meghan remain “much loved members of the family”, it is clear their choices have taken a toll. Healing the family rift remains a work in progress.

Conclusion

Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back from royal life was a historic break from tradition driven by their struggle with media scrutiny, desire for independence, and other complex factors. While the British public remains divided in their opinions, their exit clearly signifies an evolution of the monarchy. Harry and Meghan are now building careers in media and business, though reconciliation efforts continue with the royal family they left behind. Their story has many more chapters left, but January 2020 marked the definitive point of their departure from life as working members of the House of Windsor.