It’s fascinating to imagine how different things might’ve been for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle if one quiet plan had gone ahead.
Before the chaos of “Megxit” and their move to California, the Royal Family had actually considered a softer, more graceful exit strategy—one that involved a fresh start far from the glare of the UK tabloids.
A Royal Escape Inspired by the Queen’s Own Past
This idea wasn’t without precedent. Back in the late 1940s, a young Princess Elizabeth enjoyed a rare window of near-normal life in Malta.
While Prince Philip served in the Navy, she got to live on the Mediterranean island, sunbathe on the beach, drive her own car, and shop like a regular citizen.
According to royal biographer Robert Lacey in Battle of Brothers, it was “the first and last time” she lived so freely.
That experience lingered in her memory—and perhaps shaped how she approached Harry and Meghan’s situation decades later.
A Bold Proposal to Reimagine the Sussexes’ Role
In 2019, with tension rising between the Sussexes and the rest of the Royal Family, a plan began to take shape.
Spearheaded by Sir Christopher Geidt, the Queen’s former private secretary, and former U.S. ambassador David Manning, the idea was simple: give Harry and Meghan a meaningful role—just not in the UK.
The proposal? Let them spend an extended period in South Africa or another southern African country.
The hope was that this would offer the couple a sense of purpose, while also giving the rest of the Royal Family (and the British press) a bit of breathing room.
A Plan with Promise… and Royal Support
The Queen was reportedly open to the idea. She had already passed down royal patronages to Meghan, such as the National Theatre, and was keen on seeing the couple take on a modern, youth-focused role within the Commonwealth.
South Africa was seen as the ideal destination—Meghan could pursue causes close to her heart, like menstrual health advocacy for girls, while Harry could embrace a ceremonial Commonwealth role that would complement but not rival Prince William’s.
Both Harry and Meghan were apparently intrigued. Meghan reportedly said, “We can take a step back,” and Harry saw it as a way to “take a breath.”
Given that their love story had partly blossomed in Africa, the continent felt like a natural place to start a new chapter. As Lacey put it, “Cape Town could be their Malta.”
From Dream to Disaster: When Things Fell Apart
But for reasons still unclear, the plan never came to life.
Instead, their actual tour of southern Africa in September 2019 turned into a flashpoint.
There were unforgettable moments—such as baby Archie meeting Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Harry walking in his mother Princess Diana’s footsteps in an Angolan minefield.
Yet those highlights were quickly overshadowed.
During the trip, Meghan gave a raw and emotional interview to ITV’s Tom Bradby, admitting she was struggling. She thanked him for asking how she was, saying not many people had.
Harry, too, took a swipe at the British tabloid press for waging what he called a “ruthless campaign” against his wife.
The Costly Goodbye
Aside from emotional turmoil, the trip was also financially hefty.
It reportedly cost the British taxpayer £246,000—making it the most expensive royal tour at the time.
Just three months later, the world was stunned as Harry and Meghan announced, via Instagram, that they were stepping back from their royal duties and planning to become “financially independent.”
The move, dubbed “Megxit,” became an international sensation and even earned a spot on Collins Dictionary’s Words of the Year for 2020.
The Queen’s Quiet Grace Amid Public Drama
Understandably, the Royal Family was said to be hurt—not just by the way Harry and Meghan exited, but also by the thought of missing out on watching young Archie grow up.
Still, Queen Elizabeth responded with characteristic calm and dignity, releasing a rare personal statement.
In it, she acknowledged her disappointment but supported their desire to live a more independent life.
“We respect and understand their wish,” she said, “to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.”
Life Today: A World Away from the Palace
Fast forward to now, Harry and Meghan are raising their children in a $14 million mansion in Montecito, California—rubbing shoulders with stars like Ariana Grande and Gwyneth Paltrow.
It’s a world away from the original idea of a royal mission in Africa—but perhaps the peace they were seeking back then is something they’ve finally found.