The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were once again making headlines last week, after it was reported that the couple had appointed US-based PR agency Sunshine Sachs – renowned for crisis management – to work with them on restoring their public reputation, following what has been dubbed a ‘summer of scandal’. Buckingham Palace said that the firm had been hired to help launch the couple’s foundation in the US.
The news prompted further speculation that Prince Harry and his wife are plotting to move to the States with baby Archie, particularly following recent reports that Harry had snubbed his father Prince Charles’s offer of an estate in Herefordshire, and that the couple had been to look instead at potential homes in Meghan’s childhood home of Los Angeles.
Now Grazia has learned that Palace courtiers are indeed openly talking about the Sussexes’ plans to relocate to America. ‘It’s not so much a case of “if ”, but “when” they relocate,’ said a royal source. ‘It’s an open secret. Meghan is homesick. Her mother, Doria, and most of her friends live in America and the couple both want Doria to have a close relationship with Archie. Interestingly, it seems to be Harry who is the driving force behind plans. He is becoming increasingly angry about the way he perceives the couple are being treated in Britain and wants to escape for a while.’
Indeed, last week the 34-year-old duke took the unprecedented – and defiant – step of commenting on recent criticism that he and Meghan, 38, have received for publicly highlighting environmental issues while also taking four private jets in the space of 11 days. Speaking at the launch of a sustainable travel scheme in Amsterdam, Harry defended his use of private jets, saying it was to ‘ensure my family are safe’, adding that he balances out the pollution by donating to carbon offsetting schemes.
The move was said to have been advised by the new American PR agency, whose previous clients have included Michael Jackson and Harvey Weinstein. The company is known for using controversial tactics, such as editing Wikipedia pages to promote certain public perceptions.
‘Harry is fed up with Britain,’ a source says. ‘He feels like they can’t put a foot right at home, so he has become the driving force behind wanting to relocate to LA, and has been speaking to a number of friends out there to see how it would work.’ Sources claim that Harry has been not only reaching out to Oprah Winfrey – with whom he will be working on a series of documentaries on mental health – but also his distant cousin, banker Freddie Windsor, who lived in LA with his wife, actor Sophie Winkleman, for a number of years while she starred in the US TV show Two And A Half Men. ‘Harry’s been receiving advice on moving to LA from friends including Freddie,’ said a source. ‘He had a great life in California and has been really helpful.’
Speaking to Grazia last week, LA-based British publicist Kate Morgan pointed out how popular the couple are in America. ‘Royals have a very strong fan base here in the US; you cannot even pick up a loaf of bread without seeing the couple, especially Meghan, on the cover of a magazine, and the coverage is 95% positive. They could be a very powerful and influential voice for US-centric philanthropic endeavours, and people would really listen.’ Of course, traditionally in the UK, royals are not supposed to express political opinions, but both Harry and Meghan are outspoken about their beliefs and could well join similar politically motivated Hollywood A-listers such as the Clooneys or the Kardashians, renowned for being outspoken on big issues.
The Evening Standard’s royal editor, Robert Jobson, who has been on tour with the couple, also believes a move could be on the cards. ‘I wouldn’t be surprised by this,' he said. ‘They’ve had a tough time recently in the media.’ However, he is quick to point out that Harry will not quit his royal duties. ‘I am sure he would want to reach a compromise with his wife, who appears to miss her American life,’ he says.
Vanity Fair’s royal editor Katie Nicholl agrees. ‘They are definitely looking for a base in California and want to work out how they can divide their time,’ she says. ‘Now they have a US publicity team to help coordinate the US arm of their charity, it’s very likely they will be spending time in the States. They also really want Archie to experience an American upbringing as much as a British one. After all, he is half American. But Harry will not renege on his charity work in the UK, so they will be figuring out how to make this work. I’m not convinced they will fully move out there. They might consider spending half the year in the US and half the year here.’
If so, it’s clear the couple would be able to count on close friends and advisors stateside. Last week, Meghan hopped on a (commercial) plane alone to make a surprise last-minute trip to New York to support Serena Williams, who was competing in the US Open Final. It’s said she made the decision after staying up late to watch the semi-final the night before – boarding a flight less than seven hours later. News also broke that the duchess is maintaining her Hollywood team of advisors to help her navigate business in the US. Her former agent Nick Collins, business manager Andrew Meyer and attorney Rick Genow – who were all guests at last year’s royal wedding – are said to be fielding requests for the duchess, as well as helping negotiate plans for her children’s book.
But what of the issue of Thomas Markle? Meghan’s estranged father gave yet another interview to a Sunday newspaper last week, in which he revealed how desperate he was to meet his grandson. However, sources claim that even if Meghan and Harry do relocate to California, it will do nothing to thaw relations with her father. ‘Even if they are closer geographically, it’s unlikely Meghan will want to build bridges with her father any time soon,’ said a source.
Carry on reading below for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship timeline...
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle relationship timeline - Grazia
1 of 17July 2016: Meghan And Harry Meet
So when did the future Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet? Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were introduced by a mutual friend in July 2016, originally thought to be Markus Anderson (also the director of Soho house) but who was later confirmed to be Violet von Westenholz. Meghan said in an interview that before she met the Harry she didn't know much about him 'the only thing that I had asked [our mutual friend] was, 'Well is he nice?'. According to Harry he knew Meghan was The One from 'the very first time we met.' after only two dates Harry asked Meghan to accompany him on a trip to Botswana.
2 of 17October - November 2016: Kensington Palace's Statement
In October 2016 that the Express became the first newspaper to publish news that Prince Harry had a new girlfriend. However just a month later, Kensington Palace released a statement condemning the 'wave of abuse and harassment' faced by Meghan. The unprecedented statement, which referred to Meghan as Harry's girlfriend for the first time, emphasized that Prince Harry was 'worried about Ms. Markle's safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her.' It continued 'It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm.' The palace were also forced to address speculation that Prince William was unhappy with Harry for confirming the relationship too soon, stating 'The Duke of Cambridge absolutely understands the situation concerning privacy and supports the need for Prince Harry to support those closest to him.'
3 of 17December - February 2017: Things Get More Serious
Early in December 2017 Meghan was confirmed as the most Googled actress of 2016. In the same month, the couple were photographed together for the first time in London, shopping for a Christmas tree at the Pines and Needles store and attending a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. By January 2017 a source told US weekly that Harry had introduced Meghan to Kate and Prince Charlotte and that the 'meeting went well'. Meanwhile a source told The Sun that Meghan had 'virtually moved in' with Prince Harry to his cottage on the Kensington Palace estate.
4 of 17March - May 2017: Meghan Attends Weddings With Harry
By March things were openly getting pretty serious between the two: Meghan accompanied Harry to Jamaica for a wedding for the first time (his friend's Tom 'Skippy' Inskip to Lara Hughes-Young). On April the 7th Meghan announced that she was closing down her lifestyle blog The Tig writing 'What began as a passion project (my little engine that could) evolved into an amazing community of inspiration, support, fun and frivolity. You've made my days brighter and filled this experience with so much joy.' In May, Meghan and Harry attended their first public event together at the Polo in Coworth Park (where they also engaged in some PDA). Later in May Prince Harry was seen driving Meghan to the reception of Pippa Middleton and James Matthew's wedding.
5 of 17September 2017: The First Official Public Appearance
Welcome to Meghan the style Icon: at the opening of Prince Harry's Invictus Games in September Meghan wore a maroon midi dress with a pleated chiffon skirt by one of her favourite Canadian brands, Aritzia with a burgundy biker jacket by Mackage. The next day the couple were photographed sitting together at the wheelchair tennis and 'broke with royal protocol' by holding hands and kissing at the closing ceremony. On the 5th of September In an interview with Vanity Fair, Meghan stated: 'We're a couple. We're in love. I'm sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people understand is that this is our time.'
6 of 17September-November 2017: Meghan Leaves Behind Rachel Zane
Late 2017 we saw the end of everyone's favourite legal powerhouse Rachel Zane (sob). In November 2017, shortly after Meghan met the Queen, the actress was reported to be leaving her role in Suits after seven seasons.
7 of 17November 2017: The Engagement
After months of speculation, Prince Charles announced the engagement of his younger son Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after 15 months of dating On November 27th 2017 . The engagement ring, said to be designed by Harry, is made of two stones that belonged to Princess Diana. The couple later appeared at a photocall, with Markle wearing a white dress coat by Canadian brand Line The Label (whose website subsequently crashed). When asked by waiting photographers if the proposal was romantic, Harry joked 'of course!' Speaking about his late mother, Princess Diana, Harry said 'I think they'd be thick as thieves. She would be over the moon, jumping up and down, so excited for me... It's days like today when I really miss having her around and miss being able to share the happy news. With the ring, I'm sure she's with us, jumping up and down somewhere else.' it was announced that the wedding would take place on May the 19th, 2018.
8 of 17December 2017: The Fab Four
In December 2017 Meghan, Harry, Kate and William were photographed together attending the Christmas service at Sandringham. Pictures of the two couples earned them the title 'The Fab Four'. Meanwhile in the following months Meghan earned a reputation for breaking royal protocol on official visits by hugging fans of the couple and kissing them on the cheek.
9 of 17February 2018: Kate And Meghan Appear In Public Together
In February 2018, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle had their first royal engagement together for the Royal Foundation Forum with Prince Harry and Prince William. Harry stated of the two couples 'We have different opinions and they work really well [together]. Working as family does have its challenges; of course it does. The fact that everybody is laughing shows they know exactly what's it like… But we are stuck together for the rest of our lives.'
10 of 17May 2018: The Lead Up To The Wedding
In the lead-up to the wedding it was confirmed 2,640 people would be invited to the grounds of Windsor Palace to watch the royal wedding. Photos of Meghan and Harry's wedding invitations were released, bearing Harry's legal name 'Henry'. Meghan and Harry made a number of public appearances together including to the Invictus game tryouts in April and attend the Queen's birthday at the Royal Albert Hall. Meghan's final episode of Suits is also aired, marking the official end of her acting career.
11 of 17May 2018: Meghan's Family Drama Begins
On May the 14th, three days before the wedding Meghan's father, Thomas Markle sr. who was confirmed to walk Meghan down the aisle pulled out, following an embarrassing incident in which he staged paid paparazzi photos. Thomas Markle later suffered a heart attack, and his son Thomas Markle Jr. penned an unflattering open letter to Harry criticizing Meghan and encouraging him to pull out of the wedding. The day before the wedding, Kensington Palace announced Prince Charles would walk Meghan down the aisle, stating 'The Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Markle to The Royal Family in this way.'
12 of 17May 2018: The Royal Wedding
Meghan and Harry wed on the 19th of May for a combined audience of 11.5 million people who tuned in to watch the ceremony. Meghan's gown was made by Clare Waight Keller, artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy which she later changed for a silk crepe dress by Stella McCartney. Her mother Doria Ragland attended the ceremony along with a host of celebrities including Meghan's former Suits cast and her close friends, George and Amal Clooney.
13 of 17May - October 2018: Married Life
Throughout May of 2018 Harry and Meghan made their first official appearances as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. For her inaugural attendance to the Trooping of the Colour Meghan wore an off-the-shoulder dress, reportedly breaking royal protocal. In the following months the newlyweds made a number of public appearances including to Ireland to meet the country's officials. They also took a rumoured trip to visit George and Amal Clooney in Lake Como.
14 of 17October 2018: The Royal Baby Announcement
Speculation began during Princess Eugenie's wedding that Meghan was pregnant owing to her loose coat. The rumours were confirmed when Kensington Palace announced on the 15th of October 2018 that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were expecting a child. The announcement also coincided with the first day of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's official tour.
15 of 17October 2018: Meghan And Harry's First Royal Tour
In October Meghan and Harry departed for their 16-day Autumn royal tour visiting Australia, Tonga, Fiji and New Zealand (obviously featuring some serious style moments from the newly-appointed Duchess of Sussex/Style). By November, sources were telling news outlets that the couple were preparing to move to Frogmore cottage in Windsor in 2019. The couple spent the anniversary of their engagement, November the 27th apart, due to Harry being in Zambia.
16 of 17November 2018 - Present: Feud Rumours
As Meghan and Harry embarked on life as newlyweds there was less plainsailing, as controversy continued to follow closely on their heels. Meghan's family have continued to be the subject of unflattering media headlines and Thomas Markle gave interviews to the media about his distanced relationship with his daughter. Meanwhile Samantha Markle (Meghan's half sister, who also claims to be penning a book about the Duchess) was put on a fixated persons list after showing up at Kensington palace in January. Rumours of a froideur between Meghan and Kate were sparked shortly after Meghan and Harry's nuptials by reports that Meghan reduced Kate 'to tears' during challenging dress fittings with Princess Charlotte. In February, Thomas Markle leaks a handwritten letter from Meghan to the media in response to friends of the Duchess defending her in an interview and following numerous staff changes, rumours arise that Meghan and Harry's staff refer to Meghan by the nickname 'The difficult Duchess'.
17 of 17March 2019: The Royal Households Split
In March 2019 it was confirmed that the Sussex and Cambridge's 'royal households' will split, meaning the couples will no longer share staff. Royal spokespersons confirm that Kate and William's staff team will stay in Kensington Palace while Meghan and Harry's staff will be based in Buckingham Palace, reflecting the location of their new residence of Frogmore cottage in Windsor. Representatives are quick to confirm this is a planned move, and not due to rumors of growing tensions between the couples.