Harry and Meghan: Five years of “Megxit”: Will the prodigal son return?

When two people argue, no one is happy. It’s been five years since Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s surprising farewell from the close circle of the British royals. But the winners of “Megxit”, as the British media immediately called the historic event in reference to Brexit – the British exit from the EU – are not in sight.

Harry and Meghan have been down with many people in their old homeland of Great Britain since they made serious accusations against the royal family in interviews and books. And there is a significant gap in the “company,” as the royals call themselves.

“After many months of reflection and discussion, we have decided to find a new, progressive role for ourselves in this institution,” Harry and Meghan said on January 8, 2020. The news reportedly came as a surprise even to Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and Harry’s father, Charles. But there is no longer any talk of a new role; in fact, relations have largely broken down: Afghanistan veteran Harry had to give up his honorary military titles, which he clung to.

“It has been five years of remarkable changes for the royal family,” says royals expert Craig Prescott in an interview with the German Press Agency. The Queen and her husband Prince Philip were still alive at the time. Prince Andrew has also long since disappeared from the royal leadership circle – the brother of the reigning King Charles III. has fallen from grace due to involvement in an abuse scandal.

“What remains is a much smaller royal family,” says constitutional lawyer Prescott from London’s Royal Holloway University. “This is a challenge because Queen Elizabeth’s mantra was that the monarchy had to be seen to be believed.” So if fewer members attend appointments, awareness drops – and this at a time when two leading figures, King Charles and his daughter-in-law Princess Kate, were out for a long time due to cancer.

No replacement for Harry and Meghan in sight

This is especially true when it comes to the impact on young people, as Prescott says. Here Harry and Meghan created a modern image of the royal family. “Long-term demographic questions are arising about the monarchy, and the departure fits with that. They haven’t really been able to be replaced so far,” emphasizes the expert.

So the palace is not a winner in the dispute, even if the hard core of the royals was recently showered with flowers and gifts by fans on the way to the traditional Christmas service and there is great sympathy.

But the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as the official titles of Harry (40) and Meghan (43) are still, cannot be considered winners either. The couple lives largely in isolation in California. There, their children Prince Archie (5) and Princess Lilibet (3) can grow up undisturbed by cameras. It was this form of relative anonymity in an area full of celebrities that Harry had in mind at the time.

The goal of financial independence is more difficult to assess. Harry and Meghan made millions with documentaries and productions for the streaming giants Netflix and Spotify. In a new series for Netflix, Meghan will reveal tips for cooking, gardening and hosting. The former actress has also built her own lifestyle brand. Harry and Meghan are also involved in charities.

Boulevard exploits alleged problems

But in Great Britain the criticism is great. The British tabloid press never tires of firing against the exiles at every opportunity. Even after the resignation from the front row, the newspaper “Sun” set the tone: “This is a declaration of war on the royal family.” The Yellow Press has been churning out unconfirmed separation rumors with relish for months.

If the king were to resume the fifth line of succession to the throne, the boulevard would also be able to stop the attacks. A return of the prodigal son could help both sides. But does that happen?

“I think it is extremely unlikely that Harry will return in the near or medium term future,” says Prescott. He points out that the prince clearly enjoys living in the USA and that the couple is far from finished with their plans there. And there is no reconciliation in sight either: “It’s a sign of how distant the family is that there was no question at all about whether they would come over for Christmas. That wasn’t even discussed.”

Harry is said to have not spoken to William for ages. On the rare occasions when the brothers happen to be in the same room, they don’t look at each other, eyewitnesses say. The hopes rest on the 76-year-old Charles: It is in his interest that his sons find each other again during his lifetime, says Prescott. The clock is ticking.