Meghan and Harry: Fairytale wedding to royal split, here's how it all unraveled in their two years of marriage
Once upon a time, not very long time ago, Prince Harry of the Royal family of England married an American actor and philanthropist Meghan Markle and they became the Duke and the Duchess of Sussex. But did they live happily ever after? There's no yes or no answer to this question. Ever since the holy union two years ago, a lot has changed within the royal family and for the couple. As they celebrate their second wedding anniversary, we revisit the explosive moments that led to where they are today.
May 2018: The wedding
In a never-before-seen, lavish wedding, Harry and Meghan tied the knot and the whole world watched the spectacle unfold.
November 2018: The family feud
Kensington Palace announced that the newly-wed Duke and Duchess of Sussex were to move out of Nottingham Cottage (the former residence of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Prince William and his wife Kate) and into the Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. This was what the tabloids saw as the royal feud. And it was clear from how strained Harry and Prince Williams looked while making their public appearances and visibly keeping a distance.
February 2019: News of the royal baby
The royal couple announced the arrival of their first child and Meghan was once again in the news for showing off her baby bump and having her baby shower in New York.
May 2019: Welcoming the first child
Amid all the chaos and controversies, the couple welcomed their son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor on May 6, 2019.
June 2019: The royal split
Within merely a year into the family, Meghan and Harry sparked a huge controversy and shocked the nation and the world with their announcement of splitting from the royal family. They went candid with the media and spoke of their struggles and challenges of living the royal life. This was detailed in a documentary that was made on their Africa tour. From this time onward, it became what the media has been calling the 'Megxit' strategy. The couple took to Instagram to announce about stepping down as royals and having their own recognition. Harry also went public about his rift with brother, Prince William, and how their paths were different.
December 2019: Holidays away from the royal home
In November, the couple announced their holiday plans where they said that they would spend Christmas in Canada with Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, instead of the royal family retreat at Sandringham in east England. The absence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their newborn son, Archie, from the Queen’s Christmas message, sparked more news, not to mention a series of controversies, speculations and criticisms.
January 2020: Making it official
After the long holidays in Canada, Meghan and Harry issued a public statement saying that they will finally step down as royals and earn their own money. But they will continue to support the monarchy and be a part of the family. This happened without the knowledge of the Queen and the Prince of Wales. As a response to this shocking announcement, the Queen held an emergency summit, where she refused the proposal of a dual role for Harry and Meghan, declaring that they will need to denounce their royal titles once and for all.
March 2020 to present: The end of royalty
Harry and Meghan stopped using their royal designation and stepped down from 'The Firm'. Since the Covid-19 lockdown, they have been living in Los Angeles. They are all set to launch their new charitable organization, Archewell, named after their son.
Ongoing battle with Daily Mail and the aftermath
Just months before Meghan and Harry's wedding, the local British tabloids, most significantly Daily Mail, ran a series of stories directed at Markle's estranged father, Thomas Markle, who was unsure of attending the wedding. In fact, he did not. Thereafter, more unsavory stories quoting Meghan’s estranged half-siblings made to the tabloid. In February 2019, the tabloid also went on to publish some excerpts from a very personal letter Meghan had written to her father.
Later, in October 2019, the Duchess of Sussex (as Meghan is now addressed) filed a lawsuit against the tabloid on grounds of breaching privacy, copyright infringement and data protection. Prince Harry also joined the legal proceedings and made a statement protecting his wife. In a legal battle that has been going on for months, Justice Mark Warby threw out the claims made by Meghan and ruled in favor of the tabloid on May 1, 2020.
On May 19, 2020, Meghan and Harry are celebrating their second anniversary. What is to become of the former royal couple now that they are living the common life? Guess we will have to wait and watch.