Prince Harry and Meghan Markle embarked on a secretive six-week retreat before making the surprising decision to step back from their royal duties, causing turmoil among palace staff, according to a royal author.
The couple, known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, spent time in Canada in late 2019, later returning to the UK to announce their departure from the Royal Family in early 2020. During their stay in Canada, they shared a Thanksgiving message featuring a maple leaf emoji, hinting at their location. It was revealed that their son, Archie, stayed with Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, during this period.
Archie did not return to the UK until 2022 for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The Sussexes came back alone in January 2020, with Meghan leaving shortly after to care for Archie.
While the couple’s whereabouts were kept under wraps, Buckingham Palace confirmed they would not be present at the traditional Christmas gathering at Sandringham, fueling speculation about potential conflicts within the royal family.
In his book, Courters, royal author Valentine Low delved into the mystery surrounding Harry and Meghan’s pre-Megxit activities. The couple’s travel plans were so secretive that even their nanny was unaware of their destination. Staff members grew suspicious about their long-term intentions, with rumors circulating about a possible move to the US.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made headlines on January 8, 2020, when they announced their decision to step down as senior working royals. A pivotal meeting, known as the “Sandringham Summit,” was held on January 13, with Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles, and Prince William in attendance, but Meghan was notably absent.
Following the meeting, the Queen issued a statement expressing support for Harry and Meghan’s desire for a more independent life. Despite preferring the couple to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, the Queen respected their wish to pursue a different path while remaining part of the family.