Prince Harry reportedly wasn’t thrilled to leave royal life behind.
According to Hugo Vickers‘ new book, Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Sussex was “reluctant” about his and Meghan Markle’s 2020 exit from The Firm.
After the Suits actress hinted that she was struggling behind the scenes during a 2019 interview with journalist Tom Bradby, the Sussex family fled to Canada for the holidays.
Vickers claimed that upon Harry and Meghan’s return to England, he was “keen to discuss a way forward with Queen Elizabeth II.”
“Prince Harry went to Sandringham for the meeting and was told it was either all in or all out. He returned to Canada — reluctantly out,” the author wrote in a passage obtained by Page Six.
In January 2020, the couple announced they would be leaving their roles as senior members of the royal family.
“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,” Harry and Meghan in a statement.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend the Mountbatten Festival of Music in 2020. By: MEGA
“We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the royal family and work to become financially independent, whilst continuing to fully support Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment,” they added.
Her Majesty publicly responded in a message which read, “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 family while remaining a valued part of my family.”
In the years following Harry and Meghan’s move to America, tensions with their relatives across the pond flared after the pair spoke out against The Firm.
Despite tensions between the two parties, the 41-year-old reportedly wants to fix his relationship with his family and bring his two children to his homeland.
Prince Harry leaves court as privacy case continues in 2026. By: MEGA
“He’s not given up hope on bringing his family back to the U.K.,” a second source told The Times.
“He wants to be able to show his children where he grew up. He wants them to know their family here. He really would like to come back to the U.K. much more,” the insider claimed.