Meghan and Harry Secured the 'Private Life' They Always Wanted With a Strategic Plan
Six years ago, on January 8, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their decision to step down as senior royals. Since then, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have settled into a quieter life in California, where they are raising their children away from the public eye. Following their bombshell exit, the couple made clear their desire for privacy, particularly to protect their family. Weighing in on their journey, royal expert Marlene Koenig shared that Harry and Markle achieved the life they always wanted because of one key factor.
Speaking to the Daily Express, Koenig explained that because the Sussexes live in Montecito within a gated community, they have everything they want, surrounded by other A-listers and lesser public. She said, "I think we overuse the word 'private life'. Meghan and Harry have achieved a private life because they control their narrative. Yes, they are seen publicly at events, but when they leave, they return to the gated community in Montecito where they live." Indeed, Markle's approach to owning her narrative has primarily involved challenging negative press, setting boundaries, and focusing on authenticity and empowerment.
In their exit statement, Markle and Harry said that while they would continue to support the late Queen, they wished to focus on the 'next chapter' of their lives. The next chapter included pursuing business ventures and expanding their charitable work. Both have since spoken about reclaiming control of their narrative, particularly in their 2022 Netflix documentary, Harry & Meghan. In one episode, the Duke reflected on never being able to tell their side of the story, stressing that he would no longer allow the press to define his family without consent. Meanwhile, Markle, during an appearance on the Aspire With Emma Grede podcast, emphasized the importance of honesty and telling the 'truth.'
Moreover, in an interview with The Cut, the Duchess of Sussex spoke about the emotions tied to her Montecito mansion and how it gave her the privacy she desired. She described the moment she first walked in, taking a deep breath and feeling an immediate sense of relief, adding, "Joy. And exhale. And calm. It's healing. You feel free." In a March interview with PEOPLE, she also called her gated community home her 'safe haven,' saying, "I wanted to protect that safe haven. We're a close-knit family, and I love those moments — putting Lili down for a nap, having lunch together, having sacred time together at the end of the day."
Markle and Harry have always been outspoken about their need for privacy, regardless of their royal status, which they never experienced during their time in the royal fold. During their interview with Oprah Winfrey, the Duchess shared that all she and her husband were seeking was a "basic right to privacy," similar to that granted to anyone else. Meanwhile, the Duke has expressed his happiness raising his children quietly in Montecito, free from the press, as opposed to their situation in the UK.