Meghan Markle 'always planned to leave' UK, claims expert

The Duchess of Sussex, 43, reportedly never had any "affection" for the UK and planned to leave from the start, an expert has claimed.

By Jasmine Carey, Royal Reporter

Meghan Markle in sunglasses smiling at the camera

Meghan Markle left life in the UK with husband Prince Harry in 2020 (Image: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

Meghan Markle had “always planned to leave” the UK and the Royal Family, one expert has claimed.

After Prince Harry stepped out on a number of solo engagements over the last month, including during his recent visit to the UK at the end of September, rumours have been swirling about his future work and whether this is the start of a new professional journey for the prince without his wife Meghan Markle, 43, by his side.

While Meghan is believed to have wanted to stay at home in California with the couple’s two children Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, royal expert Phil Dampier told The Sun that she could have accompanied the Duke to the UK if she really wanted to.

He believes the reason she didn’t is a result of her lack of affection for the UK, which he believes is how she always felt from the start.

He told The Sun that the morning after Harry’s appearance at the WellChild Awards 2024 in London: “Megan could have come to the event last night.

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"She could have been there at his side. She could have presented some of the awards.

"I'm sure some of the children, some of the parents, would have been delighted to see it, but she didn't, and there must be a reason for that, and I think the reason is that she doesn't really have any great affection for the UK.

"I don't think she ever did. To be honest, I don't think she ever intended to stay in the Royal Family.

"Unfortunately, I think she was prepared to have a wonderful wedding costing millions of pounds, but I don't think her heart was ever really in it, and I think she always planned to leave, so the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and that's what we're seeing now."


Meghan Markle and Prince Harry holding hands

Meghan Markle reportedly never had much affection for the UK, an expert has said (Image: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Dampier also told The Sun that he thinks Harry will make more solo engagements without his wife, who can be the “star” when they appear in public as a couple.

He said: “I think he feels a little bit like a spare part, and I think that's sort of dawned on him in the last few months, and so I think he's definitely started to try and strike out on his own."

The claims come after Harry has made a series of visits alone over the last month, starting with a trip to New York City shortly after his 40th birthday.

He then flew across the pond to the UK before moving onto Africa for more engagements. Meghan Markle has not been publicly seen by Harry’s side since before his big birthday in September.


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