Just when most people thought Prince Harry and Meghan Markle simply walked away from royal life with no safety net, a new book is suggesting something very different.
According to fresh claims, Buckingham Palace quietly explored a surprisingly big idea to keep the Duke and Duchess of Sussex within the royal fold — including a potential move to Canada in an official capacity.
The claim appears in a new biography by journalist Russell Myers, who writes about internal discussions leading up to the now-famous Sandringham Summit in January 2020.
That was the pivotal meeting where senior royals hashed out the terms of what later became known as “Megxit.”
Five Options on the Table Before Sandringham
In the weeks before that summit, palace officials reportedly drafted five different proposals aimed at creating a workable role for the Sussexes. The goal, insiders say, was to balance their desire for independence with their status as senior working royals.
One former courtier quoted in the book suggests the options show Harry and Meghan weren’t abandoned or sidelined. Instead, there were active efforts to craft something meaningful.
Another palace insider, however, paints a different picture, claiming that “nothing was ever good enough” for the couple.
The tension between those perspectives reflects the broader divide that defined that period — differing expectations about duty, autonomy, and public life.
The Canada Governor-General Idea
The most eye-catching proposal? Making Prince Harry the governor-general of Canada.
For context, the governor-general serves as the monarch’s representative in Canada, one of the key Commonwealth realms where the British monarch remains head of state.
It’s largely a ceremonial and constitutional role, but an influential one — especially during times of political uncertainty. The position had been vacated at the time by Julie Payette.
The idea wasn’t entirely random. Meghan had lived in Toronto for years while filming the TV drama Suits, and the couple initially relocated to Canada after stepping back from frontline royal duties.
Public sentiment there was reportedly warm. One poll at the time showed around 61 percent of Canadians would have supported Harry taking the role.
But there was a hard constitutional barrier: the governor-general must be a Canadian citizen. Harry, of course, is not. That legal requirement effectively shut the door on the idea.
Frustration Behind Palace Walls
According to the book, talks grew increasingly strained. Palace aides, along with senior figures including the late Queen Elizabeth II, then-Prince Charles (now King Charles III), and Prince William, reportedly tried to design a “half-in, half-out” arrangement.
The Sussexes wanted financial independence while still representing the Crown in some capacity. The palace, however, had firm concerns about commercial deals clashing with royal neutrality.
One source quoted in the book says officials repeatedly asked for a clear plan that would protect the institution — and felt they weren’t getting concrete answers in return.
This period marked a profound shift in modern monarchy. The British royal family operates under unwritten but deeply entrenched rules, particularly around political neutrality and commercial independence. The Sussexes’ ambitions pushed against those boundaries.
Meghan’s Early Departure From the Talks
The book also claims Meghan returned to Canada with their son Archie while negotiations were ongoing, leaving Harry to continue discussions in the UK. At the time, she was reportedly deeply unhappy with the intense media scrutiny and royal constraints.
That detail, if accurate, adds another layer to what was already an emotionally charged moment in royal history.
From Royal Duties to Montecito Independence
Ultimately, no compromise was reached. The Sussexes stepped back from official duties and later settled in Montecito, California.
Since then, they’ve built a high-profile commercial portfolio. Their Netflix docuseries, Harry’s memoir Spare, and Meghan’s lifestyle and media ventures have reportedly generated tens of millions of dollars.
Financial independence, at least on paper, was achieved — though the relationship with the royal family remains complex and, at times, visibly strained.
It’s worth noting that the Sandringham Summit itself was unprecedented in its transparency. A public statement followed swiftly, outlining the new arrangement and clarifying that the couple would no longer use “HRH” in an official capacity.
The Bigger Commonwealth Context
The governor-general discussion also highlights a larger point. The Commonwealth is evolving. Several Caribbean nations have moved toward becoming republics in recent years, and debates about the monarchy’s future role continue in countries like Australia and Canada.
Had Harry taken on such a role — if it were legally possible — it might have symbolized a generational shift in royal diplomacy. Instead, the moment passed.
What’s next?
Russell Myers’ book, William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, is set for release on February 26, and it’s likely to stir renewed debate about those turbulent early 2020 negotiations.
Whether new revelations will shift public perception remains to be seen. The monarchy itself continues to navigate modernization, public scrutiny, and generational change — particularly as King Charles III reshapes the institution.
For Harry and Meghan, their focus appears firmly rooted in their U.S.-based ventures, philanthropic projects through the Archewell Foundation, and selected public appearances.
Summary
A new biography claims Buckingham Palace once explored making Prince Harry governor-general of Canada as part of efforts to keep him and Meghan Markle within the royal family.
Five potential roles were reportedly discussed before the 2020 Sandringham Summit, but none proved workable — including the Canadian option, which was legally impossible because the role requires citizenship.
Talks became strained, and the Sussexes ultimately stepped back from royal duties, later building independent commercial careers in California.
