Sinceannouncing their departure from royal dutyon Jan. 8,Prince HarryandMeghan Marklehave begun to write a bold new chapter—one in which “engagements” are casual and unannounced, free time is spent hiking in the woods near their Vancouver Island home with9-month-old son Archie, and the rules governing their old life no longer apply.
“This decision [to leave] had been weighing on them for a long time, and they are relieved to have it done,” a friend tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue. “A weight has been lifted off their shoulders.”
But their new life hasn’t come without a price. After aseries of intense discussionswith Harry’s 93-year-old grandmotherQueen Elizabeth, the couple will no longer use their HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) titles, and Harry had to forgo his role as youth ambassador to the Commonwealth. “It brings me great sadness that it has come to this,” he said on Jan. 19. Harry—who served 10 years in the British army, including two tours of Afghanistan—also relinquished his honorary military appointments.
“The military was a part of his upbringing and his life. He brought a lot to those guys and understood things. It is sad,” says a palace insider.
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty
Despite the sacrifices—Harry also left behind the rest of his family and closest friends—the couple ultimately negotiated “almost everything they asked for,” says the palace insider, with the ability to live and work where they want at the top of the list. As for the loss of their HRH titles, “Harry doesn’t care about the titles,” says a source in their circle. “It doesn’t interest him; it never has.”
As fallout from the couple’s departure continues—it’s unclear whether they willretain the use of their Sussex Royal branding—Meghan is deliberately keeping her circle tight. “She’s keeping a low profile while things settle down,” says an insider.
With their newfound freedom, Harry and Meghan have quickly adapted to life on scenic Vancouver Island in Canada, where they have beenstaying in a $14 million mansionoff the Pacific coast. “They both love to be outside and have been loving it there,” says the friend. When they’re not doing yoga or eating in, Harry will pick up sandwiches at a local spot, and Meghan walks her beloved rescue beagle Guy and the couple’s adopted Labrador.
“They are enjoying living a quiet life,” an insider says of the couple. “They go for long walks, they do yoga, and Meghan cooks. They are real homebodies who love to chill out with Archie and the dogs.”
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Prince Harry and son Archie.Sussex Royals
“It’s full throttle for them right now,” says a close friend. “They have a lot happening in 2020, and it will be really exciting to see.”
Elizabeth Leonard
source: people.com
