“Meghan Markle, the Duchess who twice chose to walk away from her royal duties alongside Prince Harry, prompting King Charles to dub her ‘rebellious’.”

Meghan Markle, the former actress turned Duchess, made headlines globally when she, alongside her husband Prince Harry, made the unprecedented decision to step back from their roles as senior members of the British royal family. This move, dubbed “Megxit” by the media, occurred not once, but twice, as the couple sought to redefine their relationship with the monarchy and pursue a more independent path.

The first instance came in January 2020, when Meghan and Harry announced their intention to step back as senior royals, become financially independent, and split their time between the United Kingdom and North America. This decision sent shockwaves through the royal establishment and sparked intense speculation about the reasons behind it.

Following a period of negotiations with Queen Elizabeth II and other senior members of the royal family, a settlement was reached that allowed Meghan and Harry to step back from their official duties while still retaining their titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex. However, they agreed to no longer formally represent the Queen and to refrain from using their HRH titles.

Just over a year later, in February 2021, Meghan and Harry made another announcement, confirming that they would not be returning as working members of the royal family. This decision solidified their commitment to forging their own path outside the constraints of royal protocol and tradition.

The repeated choice to distance themselves from the monarchy was met with a variety of reactions from the public and the media. While many praised their courage to prioritize their mental health and family life over royal duties, others criticized them for what they saw as a rejection of their responsibilities and privileges.

Throughout these turbulent times, Meghan Markle emerged as a symbol of independence and resilience, unafraid to challenge the norms and expectations of the centuries-old institution she married into. King Charles, in acknowledging her departure from royal duties, reportedly referred to her as “rebellious,” encapsulating the defiance and determination that characterized Meghan and Harry’s departure from the royal spotlight.