Timeline of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Departure from Royal Duties

January

Harry and Meghan announce they will step down as working royals. The decision comes after a period marked by open warfare with the media over claimed intrusion and bullying.

“We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the royal family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty the Queen,” the couple say.

March

Harry and Meghan are interviewed by Oprah Winfrey on CBS.

In a series of stunning revelations, Meghan accuses the royal family of fostering an atmosphere of racial hostility so intense that she came close to suicide while pregnant with Archie. Meghan also claims members of the royal family had openly expressed concerns about how dark Archie’s skin would be.

In response, Queen Elizabeth issues a statement: “The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately.”

January

Harry publishes his memoir Spare, detailing his relationship with his family.

Among the most notable revelations, Harry recounts what he says was a physical attack by William as their relationship fell apart over his marriage to Meghan. Describing a confrontation at his London home in 2019, Harry says William called Meghan “difficult”, “rude” and “abrasive”.

May

Harry loses the legal challenge over his security arrangements, allowing the government to proceed with a “bespoke”, and cheaper, level of protection for his family. Three senior judges reject Harry’s claim he had been “singled out” for “inferior treatment”.

Later that same day, Harry says he wants reconciliation with his family, explaining that his father no longer speaks to him due to the security row.

Speaking in California, Harry says: “I can’t see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the UK at this point … I miss the UK. And it’s really quite sad I won’t be able to show my children my homeland.”