Within two years, the entire world seemingly turned against Meghan Markle – these are the events that led to it

Like it or not, the Duchess of Sussex has quickly risen to become one of the world’s most-watched women, and one of the most divisive.

Royal fans love to fawn over Duchess Meghan’s stunning outfits, the adorable photos of her gorgeous son, baby Archie, and cannot get enough of her incredible love story with Prince Harry, and how much the couple still clearly adore each other.

But while the 39-year-old mother enjoyed several years of overwhelming public support, since joining the royal family, the tide has turned against her.

The 39-year-old former Suits actress can no longer escape the intense public backlash towards her every move, as well as the frosty reception she has also received from inside the royal family itself.

And now the debate has escalated, following her and husband Prince Harry’s decision to “step back” from their senior royal duties and split their time between the UK and the US. The pair now reside in Santa Barbara California, where they’ll soon welcome a second addition to their brood.

But how did this happen? How did the most adored woman in the world become the subject of such vicious tabloid chatter?

Here’s a timeline explaining exactly what has transpired over the years.

READ MORE: Over the years, Meghan Markle’s off-duty style has provided a glorious mood-board of inspiration – see her best looks

NOVEMBER 2017: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce their engagement

Just 18 months after they were first introduced by friends in London, Harry and Meghan announced their engagement to the world.

Arriving to their photocall with the world’s press hand-in-hand, the new couple couldn’t take their eyes off each other.

But this happy news didn’t come out of the blue. The announcement came just months after Kensington Palace released an extraordinary statement begging the media to give Meghan some privacy.

This was a clear indication that Harry was serious about this relationship and didn’t want to scare Meghan off.

News coverage at the time was overwhelmingly positive. Finally the heartbroken little boy that walked behind his mother’s coffin in 1997 had found his happily ever after.

MAY 2018: The wedding of the year

Everything about this wedding was straight out of a fairytale – the nervous Prince, the beautiful bride in her custom Givenchy gown and that stunning veil embroidered with all the flowers of the Commonwealth countries.

As Harry and Meghan shared their first kiss in front of the world, we collectively swooned.

Once again, Harry and Meghan mania dominated the headlines and unsurprisingly, the number one news event of 2018 was the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s royal wedding.

An estimated 1.9 billion tuned in around the world to watch the couple exchange vows at St George’s Chapel, Windsor in May with their wedding injecting an estimated $AUD3.5 billion dollars into the British economy.

Whether it was fans stocking up on their Meghan and Harry memorabilia or tourists jetting into Windsor from around the world, the pin-up royal couple were literally worth their weight in gold.

JUNE 2018: The Queen gives her tick of approval

Ok, so we know Harry’s obsessed with Meghan, but what about The Queen?

Back in June 2018, the newlywed and Queen Elizabeth had their first official royal outing together and it could not have been more of a success, with the pair looking close and spending the whole day giggling together.

At one point during the day, the Queen stepped in to lend a helping hand to the nervous Duchess.

In a moment of confusion when entering a car, Meghan was unsure if she or the monarch should get in first. A flustered Meghan stepped back to let the Queen enter the car first.

“What is your preference?” Meghan politely asked the Queen, to which she replied: “You go first.”

“Oh okay,” Meghan responded, before quickly getting into the vehicle.

Soon after this cute day out, it emerged that Meghan has her own nickname for the Queen.

According to the editor of Majesty magazine, Meghan refers to the Queen as “Mama, rather than the traditional “Ma’am”.

In their official engagement video released by the BBC, Prince Harry even jokes that the Queen’s dogs took an instant liking to Meghan.

“I’ve spent the last 33 years being barked at, this one walks in, absolutely nothing,” Harry said of Meghan’s first encounter with the royal pups. “Just wagging tails, and I was like, ‘Argh.'”

JULY 2018: Duchess Catherine and Duchess Meghan’s big day out

The only thing better than one Duchess, is two Duchesses!

Kate and Meghan decided to ditch their husbands for their first solo outing together at Wimbledon, to watch Meghan’s good friend Serena Williams in the grand final.

Duchess Kate is a huge tennis fan, a Wimbledon Patron and a regular in the royal box.

She and Meghan both looked stunning in their chic outfits and chatted amicably throughout the match.

While some commentators believed their outing was a genuine display of friendship, others speculated the pair were simply tolerating each other for the sake of the cameras.

OCTOBER 2018: A royal baby!

Just hours after the Sussexes touched down in Sydney for the first stop of their royal tour down under, Harry and Meghan confirmed they are having a baby!

The next day, Meghan debuted her mini baby bump to the world in a chic white dress from Aussie designer Karen Gee.

Now we’re used to seeing Meghan cradle her stomach, but the first time we saw that was when the couple visited Fraser Island. Meghan wore a beautiful blue and white striped linen dress from US brand Reformation and held her bump as she walked hand-in-hand with Harry.

Throughout the two week-tour, Meghan amazed locals and indeed, the world. She got up at 4am to do yoga, baked banana bread late at night and didn’t drop the ball once during an insane travel schedule.

We were all in awe of her poise, grace and patience.

READ MORE: The moment Meghan’s baby bump really popped!

Royal fans could not get enough of Harry and Meghan, with huge crowds turning out all around the country to get a glimpse of the happy couple and that cute bump.

“From myself, my wife and our little bump, we are so grateful to be here,” Harry said at the time.

Meghan was praised for delivering a powerful speech about feminism and women’s empowerment in New Zealand.

One fan wrote on Twitter: “You’re championing woman! You’re using your platform to shine a light on woman’s rights! Thank you so much for staying true to yourself!”

While another said: “WOW. great speech and my goodness is she gorgeous and well spoken!”

NOVEMER 2018: Swift exit from Kensington Palace

This is the exact moment when things started to shift.

The Duke and Duchess announced they would be moving out of Kensington Palace, where they currently live next door to the Cambridges and their three children, to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.

The sprawling 10-bedroom residence, which was gifted to the couple from The Queen, sits within the private Home Park and looks out onto the stunning grounds of Frogmore House. Meghan reportedly wants to renovate the property to include a new nursery and a gym and yoga studio.

“Windsor is a very special place for Their Royal Highnessess and they are grateful that their official residence will be on the estate,” Kensington Palace said in a statement.

Harry and Meghan were married in Windsor’s St George’s Chapel and their reception celebrations were held at Frogmore House.

But royal sources have been leaking gossip to the British tabloids, claiming the Sussexes are moving because of tension with Prince William and Duchess Kate.

“The initial plan was for Harry and Meghan to move out of their cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace and into one of the main apartments. But there has been a bit of tension between the brothers,” a source told The Sun.

EARLY NOVEMBER 2018: Meghan’s tiara tiff with the Queen

A bombshell report from The Sun shed light on Meghan and Harry’s supposed tempers leading up to their wedding day.

In an astonishing allegation, the Queen was forced to step in and pull Meghan and Harry in line after Meghan was told she couldn’t wear the original tiara she’d picked out from the Queen’s collection.

“Meghan had her heart set on this tiara with emeralds and Prince Harry hit the roof when they were told it was impossible for her to wear it,” a spy told The Sun.

As the origins of the tiara couldn’t be 100 per cent confirmed and with fears it could have questionable ties to Russia, the Queen apparently would not loan it out.

And it did not go down well.

“There was a very heated exchange that prompted the Queen to speak to Harry. She said, ‘Meghan cannot have whatever she wants. She gets what tiara she’s given by me,'” the insider claimed.

Adding: “The Queen also questioned why Meghan needed a veil for the wedding, given it was to be her second marriage. The message from the Queen was very much Meghan needed to think about how she speaks to staff members and be careful to follow family protocols.”

LATE NOVEMBER 2018: Why Meghan made Kate cry

Rumours of tension between the two Duchesses escalated following reports that Catherine was reportedly left “in tears” after her daughter Princess Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress fitting for Meghan’s wedding in May.

It’s unclear exactly what caused the Duchess to burst into tears, but The Daily Beast claims Kate and Meghan had an argument over Charlotte’s dress.

An insider told the UK’s Telegraph: “Kate had only just given birth to Prince Louis and was feeling quite emotional.”

EARLY DECEMBER 2018: The feuding royal brothers

Many royal insiders have insisted there’s actually no bad blood between Duchess Catherine and Duchess Meghan, but their respective husbands are not getting along.

A source told Vanity Fair that there is no feud between Kate and Meghan.

“Kate and Meghan are very different people and they don’t have a lot in common but they have made an effort to get along,” said the source. “Any issues are between the brothers.”

Some sources have said Harry and William’s bond said to be “almost irretrievably broken” because William “refused to roll out the red carpet” for Harry’s new bride.

“Harry didn’t think William was rolling out the red carpet for Meghan, and told him so,” a source spills of the brother’s rift.

“They had a bit of a fallout, which was only resolved when Prince Charles stepped in and asked William to make an effort.”

MID-DECEMBER 2018: The staff start to turn

Three royal aides resigned since Meghan and Harry were married in May 2018.

In December 2018, it was announced that Samantha Cohen, private secretary to Harry and Meghan, would leave their service in British spring 2019, after the birth of the couple’s royal baby.

Samantha has worked with the royal family for 17 years. According to The Times, a source close to Meghan said: “Sam will be a huge loss.”

“Going forward, Meghan might need someone cut from a slightly different cloth to traditional courtiers, who is not a career civil servant or royal insider”.

Nicknamed Samantha ‘The Panther,’ the former royal aide served as assistant private secretary and communications secretary to the Queen and was one of her most trusted members of staff.

In October 2018, a palace aide and assistant called “Melissa” quit because of what the Daily Mail described as “Hurricane Meghan.”

She reportedly put off staff with her “particular brand of ‘up and at ’em’ West Coast energy” and rumoured routine of “getting up at 5am [and] bombarding aides with texts” and her eyebrow-raising fashion.

“Meghan put a lot of demands on her and it ended up with her in tears,” a source The Mirror.

“Melissa is a total professional and fantastic at her job, but things came to a head and it was easier for them both to go their separate ways.”

The Palace has refused to comment on all of these rumours, except for one fact.

Britain’s top selling newspaper The Sun claimed tension between the royal sisters-in-law reached boiling point when Kate cautioned Meghan over her strict behaviour towards her staff members, telling her: “That’s unacceptable, they’re my staff and I speak to them.”

A source revealed to the publication: “Her and Kate fell out when she b–f–ked Kate’s staff.”

The Palace was quick to shut down the report, releasing a rare statement saying: “This never happened.”

LATE DECEMBER 2018: Meghan claps back

In December, a royal insider told US Weekly that Meghan is “fed-up” with the rumours and her inability to “stand up for herself” on social media.

Meghan reportedly feels like she “has no voice” and is “frustrated” that she is unable to defend herself.

“It’s just been frustrating and stressful to have no voice,” a royal source told the magazine.

“She’s always relied on her own voice to stand up for others, and for herself. So not being able to say anything is a debilitating feeling.

“She’s always been so independent, her entire life, and that’s all been taken away from her. She’s always been able to clap back on social media and now she can’t.”

WATCH: The moment Meghan is caught fake-laughing on camera.

LATE DECEMBER 2018: Kate’s urgent meeting with The Queen

When all else fails, you go to the Queen to sort the drama out.

That’s exactly what Duchess Catherine did, driving herself to Buckingham palace in a Range Rover to have a secret meeting with the Queen.

Was she there to discuss these ongoing feud rumours? We’ll have to wait to find out.

WATCH BELOW: Duchess Catherine drives herself to Buckingham Palace. Post continues…

LATE DECEMBER 2018: Competing Christmas cards

At the end of each year, the royals release their new Christmas card photos.

They’re always super cute and candid – and 2018 was no exception.

But it’s interesting to note that the Cambridges and the Sussexes chose to release two separate photos of their own families on the same day, through Kensington Palace’s official social media accounts.

Duchess Catherine and Prince William released an adorable picture of their family-of-five dressed in jeans on a tree trunk outside their country home in Norfolk.

The three youngsters, Prince George, 5, Princess Charlotte, 3 and Prince Louis, 7 months are seen cuddling up to their parents and looking utterly charming.

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Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s Christmas photo was a never-before-seen picture of the pair at their wedding in May. The couple are hand-in-hand, facing away from the camera, sharing a romantic moment on the grounds of Frogmore House, the Windsor residence they are about to call their new home.

Many royal fans took the photo as a sign of a subtle snub. With the couple faced away from the camera, many interpreted that message to mean they are turning their back on the naysayers.

One fan on the Kensington Palace Instagram account described the pose as “icy”.

“Icy is the word, of course it carries not so subtle messages,” they wrote. “Looking at their backs?? For Xmas wishes??? Rude!!!!”

But others disagreed. Another fan commented: “It’s a beautiful photo. I love them! It’s their first Christmas as a married couple and this was a special moment for them this year. Why not sure it. Who cares if you can’t see their faces. Big deal! We see their faces everywhere. I love it!”

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Whether or not the Sussex’s Christmas photo was an intentional snub, there’s no denying the press has changed their tune and royal fans are following suit.

Just look at this side-by-side image showing the difference in media coverage between Harry and Meghan’s engagement, and now.

Slide across to see what a difference a year makes!

CHRISTMAS 2018: The “Fab Four” unite for Christmas

The royal family traditionally spend Christmas Day at their Sandringham country estate in Norfolk and attend an annual church service together.

Despite rumours of a feud between our favourite “Fab Four”, the two young couples showed a united front as they happily walked together into the church, smiling at onlookers and receiving flowers.

All eyes were on the Duchesses, analysing every movement to see if they really were playing happy families. The pair appeared chatty and amicable, smiling to each other. The Internet even went wild when Meghan rested her hand on Kate’s back – a gentle attempt at conciliation, perhaps?

It’s interesting to note that while Meghan and Harry walked arm-in-arm – which is just standard PDA for them – Kate and William simply walked side by wide.

But take another look at William and Harry. They may have walked together like they did last year, but the two royal brothers kept their distance with their wives in the middle and did not interact at all. In fact, body language expert Judi James says it’s a very different scenario to their normal relationship.

“We’ve been so entranced by the two women that we’ve forgotten about Prince William and Prince Harry. Apart from having very rigid, fixed smiles on their faces, I didn’t see anything in the way of glances or exchanges between them,” she told The Daily Mail.

“They’ve always been seen laughing and sharing jokes, they usually have lots of ‘tie-signs’ (gestures that signal closeness) between them. They’ve both got their hands stuck in their pockets and I didn’t see any connection signals between them at all.”

WATCH BELOW: The ‘Fab Four’ walking together on Christmas Day 2018

EARLY JANUARY 2019: Meghan snubbed from Kate’s birthday celebrations?

The Duchess celebrated her 37th birthday on January 9, 2019 with a very low-key celebration at home with family and some close friends – but not everyone was invited.

Meghan reportedly suffered an incredibly deliberate snub by her new sister-in-law from the event.

“Kate had a gathering for her 37th birthday at Kensington Palace,” a source told Woman’s Day.

“It was her, William, the kids, her mum, dad, sister Pippa and husband [James Matthews]. Harry and Meghan were not invited, which she deemed humiliating.”

“Even though they don’t get on, the Queen and Prince Charles had asked that they make a good public show of trying to make nice. Poor Kate was so nervous about her own birthday and how to handle the family drama she was almost in tears.”

An insider revealed to a US magazine that it’s William – not Kate – who Meghan should be ranting about.

“Harry desperately wants his wife to be happy and finds it difficult to say no to her. William feels she is tearing the royal family apart,” a source said.

READ MORE: Meghan Markle exposed – “It’s all been one big act!”

EARLY JANUARY 2019: Another aide quits

Meghan can’t seem to escape the theory that she is difficult and demanding, particularly to her staff.

That rumour doesn’t seem to be dying down any time soon, with yet another royal employee resigning – her female bodyguard.

The “highly regarded inspector” was the first woman to hold such a prestigious position in the Royal family and also played a pivotal role in removing Meghan from a crowded Fiji market in October last year.

The bodyguard reportedly resigned from Scotland Yard due to the challenging nature of the role, particularly as Meghan wished to be seen as “one of the people”.

While there are no claims that Meghan and her chief protection officer (who is not being named) clashed, the resignation comes after the recent departure of Meghan’s personal assistant, Melissa Touabti and speculation that private secretary Samantha Cohen had also resigned from her duties.

Sources told the Daily Mail that “even though [Meghan] was a famous actress, she could still do what she wanted in the way of getting around freely.

“But in her current role she can’t go anywhere without her protection team, and that’s a massive constraining force on an individual like her.”

MARCH 2019: The Cambridges and Sussexes officially split

Until recently, Prince Harry and Meghan lived and shared a household with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, with both couples residing at Kensington Palace and sharing many formal resources, including a full team of staff made up of a private secretary, press secretary, assistants and bodyguards.

But in March, the Queen announced the creation of the new Sussex Household, meaning Harry and Meghan now have their own staff.

“The Queen has agreed to the creation of a new Household for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, following their marriage in May last year. The Household, which will be created with the support of The Queen and The Prince of Wales, will be established in the spring,” read the statement from Buckingham Palace.

“The Duke of Sussex currently has his own private office, which has been supporting The Duchess since the engagement of Their Royal Highnesses in November 2017,” it read.

“This long-planned move will ensure that permanent support arrangements for The Duke and Duchess’s work are in place as they start their family and move to their official residence at Frogmore Cottage.”

While many royal commentators argued the split was “very normal”, some fans on social media saw it as another sign that a feuding Harry and William were drifting further apart.

“Charles and Andrew don’t share an office. Edward and Anne don’t share an office. It was always going to happen,” noted respected commentator Victoria Arbiter, whose father serves in the royal offices of the Queen, Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

“Because it happened upon Harry getting married, people looked for something to blame, which is bizarre. I don’t know why we need to blame anybody. It just speaks to the level and the volume of work that these couples are going to be carrying out.”

APRIL 2019: Harry and Meghan move into Frogmore Cottage

After months of waiting for renovations of their new family home to be completed, the Sussexes finally moved into Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.

The extensive renovations, which are thought to have cost upwards of $5 million, reportedly include a yoga studio, triple-glazed windows (to block out the noise from nearby Heathrow Airport) and a low-carbon energy unit.

A royal insider told Elle the couple “couldn’t be more excited about starting their life together with their new baby and are keen that their child will be able to enjoy their privacy away from the fish bowl.”

The arrival of the little one brought some peace to the relationships within the royal family, with several members of the family paying Harry and Meghan a visit at their new abode.

The Queen was reportedly their first formal visitor, as she “wanted to formally welcome the Sussexes to their new home, a source told The Sun.

It was later revealed that the Cambridges also had a secret visit to Frogmore while they were in Windsor to attend the official royal church service on Easter Sunday.

Kate, William and Harry had all attended an Easter service at the nearby St George’s Chapel, but Meghan had been unable to attend due to being heavily pregnant, according to Scobie’s source.

So instead of allowing poor Meghan to miss out on the fun, the royals took the party to her – with William and Kate “showing their support” by popping by for a catch up.

“William and Catherine visited because Meghan was unable to attend the service,” the close source told Harper’s Bazaar.

“They wanted to be supportive and see how she is doing. It was a lovely afternoon.”

LATE APRIL 2019: Bombshell revelation that Meghan “feels sorry” for Kate

In the days and weeks leading up to the birth of the royal baby, speculation about exactly how and where Meghan would give birth to Baby Sussex went into overdrive, with all of Meghan’s decisions around the birth of her baby scrutinised with a fine-tooth comb.

It was revealed that Meghan definitely would not be posing with a perfect blow-dry and a full face of makeup on the steps of the Lindo Wing, as Kate Middleton and her late mother-in-law Princess Diana once did, choosing to avoid a public photoshoot in front of the world’s media.

Instead, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan wanted to keep the birth of their child private.

“The Duke and Duchess look forward to sharing the exciting news with everyone once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family,” the family said in a statement.

It also emerged that Meghan “felt sorry” for Kate during her rather public royal baby displays.

A friend of Meghan’s told The Post that the Duchess felt bad for Kate having to look impeccable and face the world’s media mere hours after giving birth.

Meghan also snubbed the Queen’s own “highly regarded” all-male medical team, instead choosing her own female doctors to help deliver her baby.

The strong feminist, vegan and advocate of natural living has clearly ensured all of her values are reflected in the way she gives birth, and many have praised the modern Duchess for deciding to do things her own way.

MAY 2019: The world cheers on as royal baby Archie is born

There’s nothing like a newborn royal baby to provide a much-needed mood boost. When little Archie was born on May 6, the royal family was overwhelmed with good wishes from around the world.

Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry were praised for how they handled the birth, with the couple choosing to stay at home, only revealing their son to the world a few days after he actually arrived.

During their official photocall, Meghan proudly showed off her postpartum body, bravely choosing a white trench dress from designer Grace Wales Bonner

Grace is also known as one of the UK’s most celebrated young designers and is of mixed-heritage, much like Meghan, with her mum being British and her dad being Jamaican.

Meghan clearly wanted to send a strong message of diversity with her dress choice – and we love her for it.

The new mum appeared vulnerable and anxious during the media call, which is of course completely normal for a new parent, with her swollen postpartum body a sight millions of women around the world immediately empathised with.

JULY 2019: Meghan is praised for her gorgeous postpartum body

For most new mothers, the idea of squeezing your sore and swollen postpartum body into a sheer satin, dresigner dress and strutting down a red carpet in front of the world’s gawking media – to meet Beyonce no less! – would be utter hell.

But that’s exactly what Duchess Meghan did exactly 10 weeks after she gave birth to little Archie, and stunned royal fans on the red carpet at the London premiere of The Lion King in July, where she rubbed shoulders with pop singer Beyonce and husband Jay-Z, as well as entertainer Elton John.

Meghan’s famously toned arms and tiny sample-size waist – the product of her regular yoga habit and predominantly vegan diet – have been replaced by a gorgeous fuller figure and a stomach still recovering from the nine months it took to grow a human.

You could almost hear the cheers from women around the world, overjoyed at seeing a new mother glow happily in her new body, making no apologies for her figure and getting on with her job as the world’s critics watched with their mouths agape.

“So refreshing to see Meghan Markle embracing her post baby body and is in no rush to get her pre-baby body back. It’s important to feel happy within yourself and your weight shouldn’t determine your happiness,” one woman wrote on social media.

While another said: “She’s so beautiful! Post-partum weight is healthily lost within 6 months after giving birth. Meghan’s size 4 clothes aren’t going anywhere, except back on her body!

In fact, one royal fan summed it up perfectly: “Meghan looks like a woman who gave birth two months ago, and not only embraces her post pregnancy body, but also loves it too.”

READ NEXT: Duchess Meghan’s heroic act has made the world fall even more in love with her

MID JULY 2019: Meghan’s heartbreaking confession about royal life

While from the outside, it might seem as though all this criticism was just water off a duck’s back for Meghan, a video of Meghan talking to singer Pharrell Williams on the red carpet at The Lion King premiere gave a heartbreaking insight into how the Duchess feels about being the subject of such intense media scrutiny.

In the video shared by Twitter account named Royal Suitor, Pharrell is heard telling Meghan and Harry: “So happy for your union. Love is amazing. It’s wonderful. Don’t ever take that for granted but what it means in today’s climate.”

The singer then continued: “I just wanted to tell you it’s so significant for so many of us. Seriously. We cheer you guys on.”

Pharrell’s wonderful words of support clearly touched the Duchess, who responded: “Thank you, they don’t make it easy.”

No, Meghan, it certainly can’t be easy.

LATE JULY 2019: The simple gesture that proved Kate and Meghan aren’t feuding

In July, the Duchesses sat front row at Wimbledon to watch Meghan’s good friend Serena Williams play in the British tournament.

Both Meghan and Kate are big tennis fans, with Kate an official patron of Wimbledon, so it made sense for them to attend the event together.

And according People magazine, there was a simple touching gesture exchanged between the two royal women that proved they certainly aren’t feuding.

While Kate and Meghan certainly weren’t super close when they first met, a royal insider told the magazine that’s partly due to the fact that there was so much expectation riding on them getting along.

“There was undue pressure where the whole world wanted them to be best friends,” the source told People magazine.

But when the two royals attended Wimbledon this year, it seemed clearer than ever that their relationship has only blossomed.

“There is a sense of [Meghan and Kate’s] relationship strengthening,” the source told the publication.

In fact, according to the People, Kate was seen putting a consoling hand on Meghan’s back when her close friend Serena Williams lost the match.

That’s certainly not something that would happen between two feuding women, would it?

AUGUST 2019: The private jet saga

Harry and Meghan decided to jet off to the Spanish island Ibiza and also the south of France for their family summer holiday with baby Archie – and they took several private flights to get to their European destinations.

That choice caused many critics to label the royals as hypocrites, for preaching about environmentalism and conversation, while choosing a method of travel that is proven to be terrible for the environment.

Their decision made front page news in their native UK, but an impressive list of celebrity friends jumped to the defence of the Duke and Duchess, arguing the negative media reports were petty and unfounded.

”I am deeply distressed by today’s distorted and malicious account in the press surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s private stay at my home in Nice last week,” the couple’s friend Elton wrote on Twitter.

“Prince Harry’s Mother, Diana Princess Of Wales was one of my dearest friends. I feel a profound sense of obligation to protect Harry and his family from the unnecessary press intrusion that contributed to Diana’s untimely death.”

Sir Elton wanted the family-of-three to have a private and well-earned holiday “inside the safety and tranquillity” of the home he shares with David Furnish, and “to maintain a high level of much-needed protection”, the couple provided the Sussexes with a private jet flight.

“To support Prince Harry’s commitment to the environment, we ensured their flight was carbon neutral, by making the appropriate contribution to Carbon Footprint,” he continued.

“I highly respect and applaud both Harry and Meghan’s commitment to charity and I’m calling on the press to cease these relentless and untrue assassinations on their character that are spuriously crafted on an almost daily basis.”

Other stars, including pop singer Pink and TV host Ellen Degeneres also threw their support behind the roylal couple.

“Portia and I met Prince Harry and Meghan to talk about their work on wildlife conservation,” Ellen wrote on her social media accounts.

“They were the the most down-to-earth, compassionate people. Imagine being attacked for everything you do, when all you’re trying to do is make the world better.”

OCTOBER 2019: Meghan and Harry fire back at the press

At the beginning of October, while they were still partaking in the #SussexRoyalTour of Africa, it was announced that Harry and Meghan would be suing the UK tabloid newspaper The Mail on Sunday, the weekend offshoot of the Daily Mail, alleging that it unlawfully published one of Meghan’s private letters.

The tabloid published a letter handwritten by Meghan to her estranged father Thomas Markle, after he missed her royal wedding in 2018.

Prince Harry was clearly livid about this invasion of privacy and in a rare statement, revealed the heavy toll that story had taken on his family.

“Unfortunately, my wife has become one of the latest victims of a British tabloid press that wages campaigns against individuals with no thought to the consequences – a ruthless campaign that has escalated over the past year, throughout her pregnancy and while raising our newborn son,” he wrote in a statement on the couple’s official website.

The Duke of Sussex added that the legal process “has been many months in the making,” and that to stay silent on the matter “would be contrary to everything we believe in.”

“The positive coverage of the past week from these same publications exposes the double standards of this specific press pack that has vilified her almost daily for the past nine months; they have been able to create lie after lie at her expense simply because she has not been visible while on maternity leave. She is the same woman she was a year ago on our wedding day, just as she is the same woman you’ve seen on this Africa tour.

“Though we have continued to put on a brave face – as so many of you can relate to – I cannot begin to describe how painful it has been,” he wrote.

In a heartfelt conclusion to the statement, Prince Harry referenced his late mother Princess Diana and how the media treated her up until her death in 1997.

“Though this action may not be the safe one, it is the right one. Because my deepest fear is history repeating itself. I’ve seen what happens when someone I love is commoditised to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person. I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces.

“We thank you, the public, for your continued support. It is hugely appreciated. Although it may not seem like it, we really need it.”

The couple is funding the legal action themselves and any proceeds from the case will be donated to an anti-bullying charity.

LATE OCTOBER 2019: Meghan’s heartbreak unveiled in raw documentary interview

A documentary from British television network ITV, Harry and Meghan: An African Journey, revealed the heartbreaking impact the constant attacks from the British tabloid press have had on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Meghan revealed that her British friends warned her that the UK tabloids would “destroy her life”.

“When I first met my now husband, my friends were really happy because I was so happy,” she said.

“But my British friends said to me ‘I’m sure he’s great, but you shouldn’t do it because the British tabloids will destroy your life’.

“And I very naively thought — I’m American, we don’t have that there — what are you talking about? That doesn’t make any sense … I didn’t get it.

“So it’s been … complicated.”

Meghan said she had tried to put on a brave face, but it just all got too much.

“I’ve said for a long time to H – that’s what I call him – it’s not enough to just survive something, right? That’s not the point of life. You’ve got to thrive, you’ve got to feel happy.

“I’ve really tried to adopt this British sensibility of a stiff upper lip… I’ve tried, I’ve really tried.”

Holding back tears during the raw interview, Meghan spoke about what it had been like to weather the intense criticism while pregnant with baby Archie and then later, as a new mother.

When asked if she was doing OK, Meghan revealed she had been struggling at lot.

“Look any woman especially when they’re pregnant, you’re really vulnerable, and so that was made really challenging, and then when you have a newborn … And especially as a woman, it’s really, it’s a lot.

“So, you add this on top of just trying to be a new mom or trying to be a newlywed. And also thank you for asking because not many people have asked if I’m okay, but it’s a very real thing to be going through behind the scenes.”

As clips of Meghan’s heartbreaking confession that she “wasn’t doing OK” surfaced on social media, a viral hashtag called #WeLoveYouMeghan started trending on Twitter, with fans rallying around the royals.

“If you’re watching #HarryandMeghan right now and still have something negative to say, you don’t have a heart,” one fan wrote.

Another said: “I like them even more after watching… didn’t think that was possible. Substance & style. An amazing couple. They’re authentically themselves.”

LATE OCTOBER 2019: Harry confirms rift with William

For months, rumours of a feud between Harry and William have been brewing, and Harry addressed the claims head-on during the ITV documentary.

“Umm… part, part of this role and part of this job and part of this family being under the pressure that it’s under, inevitably, stuff happens. But look: We’re brothers, we’ll always be brothers — and we’re certainly on different paths at the moment,” Harry revealed.

“But I’ll certainly always be there for him as I know he’ll always be there for me.

“We don’t see each other as much as we used to because we’re so busy.

“But I love him dearly and the majority of the stuff is created out of nothing. But as brothers, you have good days, you have bad days.”

MID-NOVEMBER 2019: The Sussexes reveal they’re skipping the traditional royal family Christmas celebrations

On November 14th, it was revealed that Harry, Meghan and baby Archie would spend their Christmas break overseas, visiting Meghan’s mum Doria Ragland in Los Angeles, instead of spending their holiday period at Sandringham with The Queen.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said in a statement: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are looking forward to extended family time towards the end of this month.

“Having spent the last two Christmases at Sandringham, Their Royal Highnesses will spend the holiday this year, as a new family, with the Duchess’ mother Doria Ragland.

“This decision is in line with precedent set previously by other members of the Royal Family, and has the support of Her Majesty The Queen.”

However, skipping Christmas with The Queen is not unusual for royal family members.

Duchess Catherine and Prince William have done the same previously, opting to spend the day with Kate’s mother and father in Buckleberry in 2016.

2016 marked Princess Charlotte’s first Christmas, so it’s not hugely unusual to see Harry and Meghan choose to spend Archie’s first Christmas with his mother’s family.

Last Christmas, when Meghan was heavily pregnant with baby Archie, she stepped out in Sandringham for the second year in a row alongside Harry, Prince William and Duchess Catherine.

EARLY JANUARY 2020: Harry and Meghan’s shock announcement

On January 9, in a surprise announcement just a day after making their first public appearance of 2020 at Canada House, Harry and Meghan announced they will be stepping back from their royal duties this year as they split their time between the UK and North America.

The couple shocked royal watchers by sharing a lengthy statement on their Instagram page, Sussex Royal, announcing their intentions to leave The Firm and even become “financially independent”.

“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution,” the pair wrote in the statement.

“We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.”

The pair explained that it is with their fans’ encouragement that they plan to make the transition, and they will continue to honour their time between supporting the Queen and their various patronages.

“This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity.”

The royal couple finished their post: “We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.”

EARLY JANUARY 2020: Buckingham Palace blindsighted by announcement

It seems Harry and Meghan’s shocking move was made without the consent of The Queen and without consulting other senior members of the royal family.

Just moments after the duo announced their news, The Queen broke her silence with an official Palace statement on Twitter, and it doesn’t seem like she was at all amused by the news.

In the statement released on behalf of Her Majesty, the move was described as “complicated” and that it’s still at “an early stage.”

“Discussions with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage,” said the statement issued by Deputy Communications Secretary to The Queen, Hannah Howard.

“We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.”

What’s more, royal correspondent for the BBC Jonny Dymond revealed that no senior members of the royal family were warned about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision.

A palace source told the BBC that senior members of the Royal family feel “hurt” by the announcement that Harry and Meghan are to withdraw from their current Royal roles.

The source confirmed that no members of the royal family were consulted.

BREAKING A palace source tells the BBC that senior members of the Royal family feel “hurt” by the announcement that Harry and Meghan are to withdraw from their current Royal roles. The source confirmed that no members of the royal family were consulted.

— Jonny Dymond (@JonnyDymond) January 8, 2020

EARLY JANUARY 2020: The real reason why Harry and Meghan jumped the gun

It turns out, Harry and Meghan were forced to make their announcement earlier than expected, because news of their move had been leaked to the UK press.

“Harry was asked to put pen to paper with some ideas for discussion. He was reluctant, on the grounds that such documents normally leak,” The Sunday Times journalist Tom Bradby wrote, explaining how Harry’s first chats with his family went down.

“He was persuaded and did as he was asked. The document, or its details, was shortly afterwards leaked to The Sun. And then, once he had gone ahead with an announcement anyway, palace officials claimed to have been blindsided by it.”

The couple apparently intended to hold back from telling the public anything until the logistics had been fleshed out, according to Harper’s BAZAAR’s respected royal writer Omid Scobie,

A source told Scobie that Harry and Meghan “they felt they had been cornered”, after their plans were leaked.

“It was a case of act now or lose control of something they had spent a long time working on,” the source explained.

And so they decided to get ahead of the story and make their announcement public.

MID-JANUARY 2020: Crisis talks to define Harry and Meghan’s new roles

The Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry, along with each of their private secretaries, arranged an unprecedented crisis meeting at Sandringham, to discuss exactly what Harry and Meghan’s new roles will look like, moving forward.

While Meghan was never going to attend the meeting in person – she travelled back to Canada to be with baby Archie – she reportedly wanted to dial into the meeting via a conference call.

It was expected that by the end of the meeting, the Queen would come to a conclusion which would define Meghan and Harry’s roles indefinitely.

According to royal reporter Tom Bradby, who produced the ITV documentary on Harry and Meghan’s tour of Africa, and is close with the couple, even attending their wedding, if Harry and Meghan do not get their way in the royal split, it is possible they will go public with explicit, damaging details of their treatment by the royal family.

Writing in the Sunday Times, Bradby suggested the couple had been treated extremely poorly, and that their admissions in the documentary were just the tip of the iceberg – he described them as “qualified honesty”.

“I have some idea of what might be aired in a full, no-holds-barred, sit-down interview and I don’t think it would be pretty,” Bradby wrote.

“I suspect the royal family would carry British public opinion still — perhaps only just — but its international standing is a key part of its value to the British state. If that were to be tarnished, it could be very damaging indeed.”

JANUARY 13, 2020: The Sandringham Summit

In the end, Meghan was reportedly excluded from the much-anticipated crisis talks between the senior members of the royal family and Prince Harry, dubbed the Sandringham Summit, due to concerns over dialling her in from Canada.

A Skype call was deemed too risky, in case anyone else was listening in.

“This was a highly confidential family discussion, not a conference call,” a source told The Daily Mail.

“While the Queen has no objection in principle to Skype or conference calls, for clarity’s sake it is more likely that Harry will break off from the negotiations to call the Duchess,” an aide revealed just before the meeting began.

Following the meeting, Buckingham Palace released a statement explaining The Queen was supportive of Harry and Meghan’s “desire to create a new life as a young family”.

“Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family,” Her Majesty said in the statement.

She also addressed the pair’s wish to become “financially independent”, saying: “Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives.”

The logistics around Harry and Meghan’s living arrangements were also mentioned. The pair had made it clear they wished to split their time between the UK and North America.

The Queen supports this decision, saying: “It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK.”

She ended the statement by adding that the matters were “complex” and that there was still work to be done.

“But I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days,” she added.

LATE JANUARY 2020: Harry and Meghan lose titles, agree to pay back money for Frogmore renovations

On Sunday January 20, the Queen released a surprisingly personal statement, explaining exactly how Harry and Meghan’s roles will evolve moving forward.

It seems the couple were not allowed to have a “half-in, half-out” arrangement, whereby they would cease to be official members of the royal family, but still reap the benefits of a taxpayer-funded lifestyle.

Instead, they will lose their “royal highness” titles, although they have not been formally stripped of them, and will now be referred to as Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

The Queen released a unusualy warm and casual statement announcing the news.

“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family. I recognise the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life,” The Queen said in her statement.

She then thanked them for all the dedicated work they have done for their royal patronages, adding that she was particularly proud of how quickly Meghan had fit in.

“[I] am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family,” her statement read.

“It is my whole family’s hope that today’s agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life.”

Another statement from Buckingham Palace confirmed the finer details of the couple’s future as they step back from royal life.

The statement made it clear that Harry would lose his “official military appointments” and the couple would no longer receive taxpayer funds.

“They will no longer receive public funds for Royal duties. With The Queen’s blessing, the Sussexes will continue to maintain their private patronages and associations,” it said.

“While they can no longer formally represent The Queen, the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty.”

Another key element to the agreement confirmed the arrangement for Frogmore Cottage, which will stay under the ownership of Harry and Meghan.

In late 2018 through to 2019, the pair’s Windsor home underwent significant refurbishments – and the new statement confirmed that the Sussexes would repay £2.4 million (AUD $4.5 million) of taxpayers money spent on the renovations.

LATE JANUARY 2020: Prince Harry’s shocking, heartbreaking speech

Prince Harry shared a deeply personal and moving statement in the wake of his and Meghan’s decision to step back as senior royal family members.

Speaking at a private dinner for one of his key charities, Sentebale, on Sunday, 19 January, the Prince was emotional as he delivered the powerful speech to guests.

“Before I begin, I can only imagine what you may have heard or perhaps read over the last few weeks,” he said as he addressed the room.

“So, I want you to hear the truth from me, as much as I can share – not as a Prince, or a Duke, but as Harry, the same person that many of you have watched grow up over the last 35 years with a clearer perspective.”

Harry then said that the UK is his “home” and a place that he loves.

“I have grown up feeling support from so many of you, and I watched as you welcomed Meghan with open arms as you saw me find love and happiness that I had hoped for all my life.”

He then added a sweet quip: “Finally, the second son of Diana got hitched, hurray!”

Addressing the constant criticism of his wife head-on, Harry said: “I also know you’ve come to know me well over all these years to trust that the woman I chose as my wife upholds the same values as I do. And she does, and she’s the same woman I fell in love with.

“We both do everything we can to fly the flag and carry out our roles for this country with pride. Once Meghan and I were married, we were excited, we were hopeful, we were here to serve.”

He then explained the heart-breaking reality of what came to be: “For those reasons, it brings me great sadness that it has come to this.”

Of this, Harry said: “Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the Commonwealth and my military associations, but without public funding. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible.”

Harry’s statement made it very clear that the complete severance of ties was hot his decision. He and Meghan clearly hoped to have a “half-in, half-out” arrangement, but it seems that was denied.

EARLY MARCH 2020: The last royal hurrah

Flying back to the UK to carry out their final engagements as official members of the royal family, Harry and Meghan put on a megawatt PR display as they visited various charities and organisations during their whirlwind three-day final royal tour.

Meghan brought out all the stops when it came to her wardrobe, wowing royal fans with stunning outfit after outfit.

But it was this incredible green dress (featuring a cape!) and matching hat that Meghan wore during her last royal outing with Kate and William on Commonwealth Day, that really sent tongues wagging.

The Duchess looked incredibly regal in the custom emerald green Emilia Wickstead look, with Prince Harry beaming on her arm.

Quitting clearly looks good on them!

READ NEXT: How Meghan’s post-royal wardrobe will be completely overhauled

LATE MARCH 2020: Meghan and Harry officially move to LA

Following news of the coronavirus pandemic, it was revealed that Harry and Meghan had fled their newfound home of Canada, instead choosing to settle in Meghan’s home city, Los Angeles.

According to a royal source who spoke to The Sun, the couple and their 10-month-old son Archie took a private flight out of Canada before the borders between the two countries were shut due to the coronavirus crisis, and will be setting up their new home close to Hollywood.

“Harry and Meghan have left Canada now for good,” the source told The Sun.

“The borders were closing and flights were stopping. They had to get out.”

The source adds that while the move had been planned for some time, “they realised Canada would not work out for various reasons and they want to be based in the Los Angeles area.

“They have a big support network here. It’s where their new team of Hollywood agents and PRs and business managers are based.”

Of course, Meghan’s mother Doria also lives in the area, as well as many of Meghan’s friends.

The move to Hollywood coincides well with Meghan’s first post-Suits project, with the Duchess providing the voiceover for a new Disney film, Elephant, to be released on April 3.

Work wise, the royal pair plan to continue their various charity projects and high-profile, lucrative speaking opportunities.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry might find himself with a bit more spare time on his hands, after his beloved Invictus Games were cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

END OF MARCH: The March 31 #Megxit deadline arrives, meaning Harry and Meghan are no longer royals

As previously announced, as of March 31, Harry and Meghan will officially not longer be considered senior members of the royal family, with their formal exit strategy coming to a full completion.

On the arrival of that date, the couple, who can no longer market themselves using the term “Sussex Royal”, posted a poignant message to Instagram.

“Thank you to this community – for the support, the inspiration, and the shared commitment to the good in this world,” the message read.

While there was no indication that this was an official Instagram farewell, royal fans are waiting to see what the couple are going to do about changing their @sussexroyal Instagram handle.

Will they keep the handle, and their 11 million followers, or start all over again?

Only time will tell – whatever happens, we’ll keep you posted.

APRIL 2020: War with the British press deepens

As well as their ongoing legal stoush against the Mail on Sunday, over the publishing of a letter Meghan wrote to her father Thomas Markle, Harry and Meghan declared war with several UK tabloid media outlets,

In a letter sent to The Sun, The Mirror, The Daily Mail and The Express, the couple explained they will no longer be dealing with these outlets, revoking any kind of official access.

Reporters from these organisations had previously been invited on royal tours and received embargoed access to press releases and news updates, including exclusive royal photo releases. Harry and Meghan would also sometimes respond to requests for comment via a spokesperson, but this will no longer occur.

“There will be no corroboration and zero engagement,” the couple declared in their letter.

“This policy is not about avoiding criticism. It’s not about shutting down public conversation or censoring accurate reporting. Media have every right to report on and indeed have an opinion on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, good or bad. But it can’t be based on a lie.”

MAY 2020: Meghan and Harry set to release tell-all biography

Royal fans were told in May that a new biography on Harry and Meghan will be released this year.

Penned by two renowned “friendly” royal correspondents, Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, who were given “unique access” to the couple’s friends, the book is set to shed light on exactly what went on behind the scenes during the Sussex’s split from the royal family.

Titled, Finding Freedom: Harry, Meghan, and the Making of a Modern Royal Family, and according to its blurb on Amazon.com, the book will go “beyond the headlines to reveal unknown details of Harry and Meghan’s life together, dispelling the many rumours and misconceptions that plague the couple on both sides of the pond.”

The synopsis also adds: “While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have continued to make headlines — from their engagement, wedding, and birth of their son Archie to their unprecedented decision to step back from their royal lives — few know the true story of Harry and Meghan.

“With unique access and written with the participation of those closest to the couple, Finding Freedom is an honest, up-close, and disarming portrait of a confident, influential, and forward-thinking couple who are unafraid to break with tradition, determined to create a new path away from the spotlight, and dedicated to building a humanitarian legacy that will make a profound difference in the world.”

AUGUST 2020: Royal fans sent into shock over book’s juicy new details

Finding Freedom was released on Amazon on August 11 and immediately shot up to #1 on the bestselling charts.

The book’s biggest juicy revelations detailed how the couple’s rocky relationship with the royal family really began as soon as they started dating.

It all started when Prince William tried to warn Harry not to rush things with Meghan.

“Don’t feel you need to rush this,” Wills said to his brother, sources claim.

“Take as much time as you need to get to know this girl.”

It was the phrase “this girl” that really angered Harry, sending a rift through their relationship that was never quite repaired.

“Harry could see through William’s words. He was being a snob,” a source close to Harry says in the book.

And there’s some clarification about the supposed ongoing catfight between Kate and Meghan.

While the Duchesses were never close, the book’s authors say rumours of a bitter feud are exaggerated.

“The truth was that Meghan and Kate just didn’t know each other that well,” the royal writers explain in the book.

You can read a complete breakdown of the book’s explosive details here.

NOVEMBER 2020: Meghan’s searing essay on miscarriage for the New York Times

The Duchess of Sussex left fans speechless when she released a stirring essay written for the New York Times about her miscarriage in July 2020.

Four months after the devastating experience, Meghan wrote an emotional essay titled The Losses We Share, where she outlined the despair and pain she and Prince Harry felt, then hopelessness at discovering how little women talk about the topic of miscarriage.

“I knew, as I clutched my firstborn child, that I was losing my second,” she explained in the raw essay.

“Hours later, I lay in a hospital bed, holding my husband’s hand. I felt the clamminess of his palm and kissed his knuckles, wet from both our tears. Staring at the cold white walls, my eyes glazed over. I tried to imagine how we’d heal.”

She delved into the importance of the simple gesture in asking someone “are you OK?”

“Losing a child means carrying an almost unbearable grief, experienced by many but talked about by few. In the pain of our loss, my husband and I discovered that in a room of 100 women, 10 to 20 of them will have suffered from miscarriage. Yet despite the staggering commonality of this pain, the conversation remains taboo, riddled with (unwarranted) shame, and perpetuating a cycle of solitary mourning,” she said.

Despite her own personal loss and the current state of the world, Meghan ended her essay on a positive note: “Are we OK? We will be,” she optimistically mused.

FEBRUARY 2021: Baby number two for Harry and Meghan!

On February 14, 36 years to the day following Princess Diana’s announcement that she was pregnant with Prince Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced that they themselves are expecting their second child.

The joyous news, shared via a beautiful black-and-white image taken on an iPad by Meghan and Harry’s close friend Misan Harriman, was confirmed by their spokesperson.

“We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child,” the statement said.

FEBRUARY 2021: Harry & Meghan formally withdraw from their working roles within the royal family

A few days following Harry and Meghan’s baby announcement, Buckingham Palace confirmed what many suspected – the Duke and Duchess would withdraw from their working roles within the royal family.

This marked the end of their 12-month trial period, which was in place as the pair transitioned from their senior royal roles into financial independence.

In a statement, the Palace shared: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have confirmed to Her Majesty The Queen that they will not be returning as working members of The Royal Family.”

“Following conversations with The Duke, The Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of The Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service.”

The statement continued: “The honorary military appointments and Royal patronages held by The Duke and Duchess will therefore be returned to Her Majesty, before being redistributed among working members of The Royal Family.”

“While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family.”

MARCH 2021: Bullying claims emerge in The Times – Meghan responds

Just days before their “tell-all” interview with Oprah Winfrey was set to go to air, The Times released a damning article about Meghan, involving claims that she had “bullied” palace staff, with some even going so far as to lay a formal complaint.

Sources who spoke to the publication claimed that Meghan’s behaviour resulted in two personal assistants to leave the palace, and “undermined the confidence” of a third staffer.

Quickly, Meghan issued a response via her spokespeople.

“The duchess is saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma.”

The statement ended: “She is determined to continue her work building compassion around the world and will keep striving to set an example for doing what is right and doing what is good.”

Following on from this, Buckingham Palace also weighed in: “We are clearly very concerned about allegations in The Times following claims made by former staff of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”

“Accordingly our HR team will look into the circumstances outlined in the article. Members of staff involved at the time, including those who have left the Household, will be invited to participate to see if lessons can be learned.”

Since the statement, royal reporter Omid Scobie, who has long reported on Duchess Meghan and appears to remain closely in her circle, released an article for Harper’s BAZAAR US with quotes from some of Meghan’s close friends, it claims.

“I hate to say it, but find me a woman of colour in a senior position who has not been accused of being too angry, too scary, too whatever in the workplace. It’s sad that it’s happening, but I’m not surprised. These claims are so far from the woman I know,” the source told Scobie.

He also touched on the suspicious timing of the Times article given Harry and Meghan were due to air their interview with Oprah Winfrey in the coming days – a two-hour special set to delve into the struggles they’ve encountered since marrying in 2018.

“Harry and Meghan knew that it would get ugly in the run up [to the Oprah special], but seeing such an obvious attempt at destroying her character was distressing and upsetting,” the friend told BAZAAR.

That said, Omid reports that the pair’s focus remains on their social and charitable work under their newly launched foundation, Archewell.

“They have had everything and the kitchen sink thrown at them this week, but ultimately nothing will stop them from sharing their truth,” the friend explained.

March 2021: The Oprah Interview

After much anticipation, the time finally came for Meghan and Harry to tell their side of the story as they sat down with iconic TV host Oprah Winfrey.

In the explosive two-hour special, which left hundreds of thousands of royal fans in various states of shellshock, rage and horror, the pair divulged numerous discrepancies and concerns about the way the Palace operates – namely their lack of support for Meghan from the get go.

The main, and most jarring revelations from the interview included:

• Someone in the royal family made troubling comments about the colour of baby Archie’s skin, before he was born. According to Meghan, Harry was involved in the frankly sickening conversation. “They were saying they didn’t want him to be a prince, which would be different to protocol, and that he wasn’t going to receive security. This went on for the last few months of our pregnancy,” Meghan revealed.

• Meghan had suicidal thoughts following the horrific falsities and lack of support within the royal fold. “I just didn’t want to be alive anymore. That was clear and real and frightening and constant thought.”

• Harry and Meghan were married in secret three days before the royal wedding

• It was Kate Middleton who made Meghan cry just before her wedding, not the other way around as was reported by multiple tabloids at the time

• The Duke and Duchess revealed the gender of their soon-to-be second child – a baby girl, who is due in the Australian winter.

• Prince Charles stopped taking Harry’s calls when he tried to talk to him about stepping back from his senior royal role

• Harry said he didn’t even realise he was trapped until he met Meghan – “I was trapped and I didn’t know I was trapped… My father and my brother, they are trapped, they don’t get to leave,” he said in the interview.

• Harry still hopes to reconcile his rift with his elder brother and future King, Prince William.