The Meeting That Altered Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Royal Futures – The Impact of the Sandringham Summit

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal careers ended five years ago, on January 13, 2020. Queen Elizabeth II specifically chose her private home in Sandringham as the meeting place to discuss the monarchy’s future, as it was clear Harry and Meghan wanted out.

Harry and Meghan notoriously proposed a "half-in-half-out" arrangement to the Queen.

The late Queen, along with Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry, gathered to address the unavoidable topic of "Megxit." This meeting attracted significant public attention across the British Commonwealth.

Harry and Meghan tied the knot in May 2018 and served as working royals for just under two years before opting for a "half-in-half-out" arrangement.

The Sussexes aimed to enjoy the benefits of royal life while maintaining their independence. They sought the privileges associated with being working royals in the UK, along with their royal patronages, all while technically distancing themselves from the royal family and pursuing their own path.

The media dubbed the gathering “The Sandringham Summit.” The heated discussion occurred in the Long Library.

It was where, as children, Harry and William would have tea with their granny. Now, Harry was the reason for one of the biggest crises in recent royal family history.

Richard Kay, the royal expert from the Daily Mail, stated,

“Since the troubling times surrounding Diana, there hasn’t been a feeling of foreboding and sorrow enveloping the royal family quite like this.”

The meeting was confidential, and only a limited amount of information was disclosed. Nevertheless, insiders report that the gathering proceeded without a hitch, with no instances of shouting or disagreement.

Harry Asserted That The Result Was “Rigged” Prior To The Meeting

In the 2022 Netflix docuseries featuring Harry and Meghan, Harry asserted that he was left feeling “terrified” by William, who reportedly “screamed and shouted” at him while also accusing Charles of dishonesty, with the Queen observing the entire situation.

In his 2023 tell-all memoir, “Spare,” the Queen’s aids “fixed” the outcome of the meeting before it even started.

Harry mentioned that he reached the summit and stated there were five possible ways for him and Meghan to leave royal life. According to him, Meghan favored the third option, which he claimed was intended to be a compromise.

Harry mentioned that the fifth option was for the couple to exit. After an hour had passed, he noted that The Queen's private secretary, whom he affectionately referred to as "the Bee," entered the room with a draft announcement regarding the Sussex