Royal Expert Claims First Major Tour Highlighted Limitations and Triggered Sussexes’ Departure
After their fairytale wedding, Harry and Meghan Markle spent less than two years as active royals before stepping back from their official duties. Despite the brief period, the couple made a notable impact, particularly during their first major tour shortly after tying the knot. The trip, which took them to Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific, was met with widespread enthusiasm and admiration.
However, according to royal expert Ingrid Seward, the tour also revealed the constraints of Meghan’s role within the monarchy, planting the seeds for their eventual exit.
In an interview with The Sun, Seward explained that the experience was a wake-up call for Meghan, who faced the reality of being part of a rigid system where she had little autonomy. "It was a bit of a shock for her to be told what to do, where to go, and how to do it. Although she played a prominent role in Australia, she was still just a small part of the larger royal machinery," Seward noted.
The royal biographer further suggested that Meghan's realisation of being married to the "number two man"—Harry, rather than William—highlighted the limitations she would always face. "This is when the discontent began to take root," Seward added.
These reflections come as King Charles and Queen Camilla undertake their own tour of Australia, six years after the Sussexes’ visit, and received a warm welcome at the Sydney Opera House.
