14 October 2023 , 08:32
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to wind down on royal duties shocked fans back in 2020 as the couple left the UK in search of a quieter life in Canada. Privacy was penned as one of the driving factors behind the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's move as they hunted for a down-to-earth way to live with son Archie and Lillibet, who arrived just over a year later.
The family have since relocated to Santa Barbara, California, choosing a Montecito neighbourhood to live out their more secluded life, but it was during the couple's first shock move that resulted in a tear-jerker get-together not many people know about, as the duchess let out the tears 'she had been bravely holding back'.
Speaking to a room of journalists, who had been invited to a private meeting with The Association of Commonwealth scholars, the Duchess took the chance to announce their move to the other side of the world to a selected room of people just hours before she took the last flight of the day to Canada.
"It didn't have to be this way", the impactful seven-letter statement muttered from Meghan Markle to journalist Omid Scobie as he gave her a hug during the meeting and later recollected in his book 'Finding Freedom'. The novel, which he co-authored with Carolyn Durand, explores the married life of the Duke and Duchess.
It's here where Mr Scobie said it was this meeting that the Duchess used as her final farewell. In the book, he said: "Staff who had been with the couple from day one were mourning the end of what was supposed to be a happy story: two people fall in love, get married, have a baby, serve the Queen, the end. Instead, they were leaving the country."
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Writing for Harper's Bazaar Scobie added it felt like the "tears that the duchess had been bravely holding back [were] free to flow among familiar faces" as she sadly reflected she wished things had gone differently.
Meghan was repotedly emotional and sad as she addressed journalists before moving to Canada (AFP via Getty Images)He added: "The Duchess of Sussex emotionally [bid] much-loved aides farewell, with her flight 'home' to Canada leaving in a matter of hours. Meghan would fly back to Canada on the last commercial flight of the day, eager to be back in Vancouver Island by the morning before Archie wakes up."
Meghan is also said to have "tearfully" told a pal "I gave up my entire life for this family" after she was blamed for her and Harry's decision to step back. And the time she reportedly said she "was willing to do whatever it takes", this was followed by the couple's 'step-back' from the institution announcement.
In their joint statement, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex highlighted their bid to "carve out a progressive role within this institution". Later that month, in January 2020, a statement on behalf of the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth said: "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are grateful to Her Majesty and the Royal Family for their ongoing support as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. As agreed in this new arrangement, they understand that they are required to step back from Royal duties, including official military appointments."