In January 2020, Harry and Meghan stunned the world by announcing their decision to step back from royal life, a mere two years after their fairy-tale wedding. And according to one expert, this might have been exactly what Meghan had intended all along.

Meghan Markle, once warmly embraced by the royal family after her relationship with Prince Harry became public, appeared to take a different path soon after their 2018 nuptials. By early 2020, the couple declared their intention to quit royal duties and ultimately moved to Canada before settling in the United States.

Their final engagements as senior royals included attending the Commonwealth Day service in March 2020, where a striking photo was taken that seemingly captured the tense dynamics within the royal family.

The image shows Harry and Meghan walking behind the late Queen, Prince Charles, and Prince William as they leave Westminster Abbey. Commenting on the photo, royal expert Richard Eden noted Harry’s visibly stern expression, contrasting with the neutral faces of other family members. Meghan, however, appeared calm and content. “Look at Harry; he looks angry and bitter,” Eden observed. “But Meghan seems almost pleased, as if she’s achieved what she wanted.”

The commentator added that some speculated Meghan may have always planned this trajectory. “She married into the royal family, got her prince, and then took him back to America. That could explain the satisfaction on her face.”

On January 8, 2020, the couple released a statement announcing their plans to “step back as senior members of the Royal Family” and split their time between the U.K. and North America. They expressed a desire to create a “progressive new role” and become financially independent while continuing to support the Queen.

Days later, Harry attended the now-infamous Sandringham Summit with the Queen, Prince Charles, and Prince William to discuss the announcement. Following their meeting, the Queen issued a rare public statement, expressing support for Harry and Meghan’s choice, though noting she would have preferred they remained working royals.

“My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family,” the Queen stated. “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.”

A “transition period” was put in place to allow Harry and Meghan to ease into their new roles, with a one-year review period. However, by February 2021, Buckingham Palace confirmed the couple would not return to their royal duties. As a result, they lost their patronages and Harry’s honorary military titles, which were reassigned to other working royals. Although stripped of their HRH status, they retained their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles.

In the official statement, Buckingham Palace expressed sadness over the couple’s decision but reaffirmed their place within the family. “While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much-loved members of the family,” the announcement read.

This pivotal chapter marked the couple’s shift from royal life to pursuing independence, setting the stage for their next endeavors across the Atlantic.