Queen Elizabeth’s Support for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Potential Move to South Africa Amid Their Growing Desire for Privacy in 2019

When it comes to royal life, many members of the family have longed for a quieter, more private existence away from the public spotlight.

A rare few have actually experienced this—most notably, the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, who lived a somewhat ordinary life during their time in Malta.

The Queen’s Rare Glimpse of a ‘Normal’ Life in Malta

Between 1949 and 1951, the then-Princess Elizabeth lived on the picturesque Mediterranean island of Malta.

This period, while Prince Philip served as a naval officer aboard the HMS Magpie, allowed the young princess a taste of normalcy that few royals ever experience.

Robert Lacey, in his book Battle of Brothers, describes this time as the only opportunity Elizabeth had to enjoy such freedoms.

“It was the first and last time she was able to sunbathe and swim off a beach, to drive her own car unnoticed, and to do her own shopping with real money,” Lacey wrote, reflecting on the uniqueness of those years.

Queen Elizabeth’s Support for Harry and Meghan’s Potential Move to South Africa

As royal life continued to evolve, there were whispers about offering Prince Harry and Meghan Markle a similar escape.

In 2019, just a year before the couple would dramatically step down from their roles as working royals, a proposal was discussed to have them live in South Africa for a time.

This idea, spearheaded by Sir Christopher Geidt (the Queen’s former private secretary) and David Manning (former ambassador to the US), was intended to give Harry and Meghan a break from the pressures of the UK media and royal duties.

The Sussexes’ Potential South African Sojourn

The plan was seen as a possible solution for both Harry and Meghan, especially considering their growing restlessness with royal life.

South Africa, a country close to Harry’s heart, became the front-runner for their temporary residence.

Meghan, who was passionate about causes such as women’s health, could have used the time to campaign on issues like providing teenage girls with free access to sanitary products.

Meanwhile, Harry would have had the chance to further his role within the Commonwealth, a position that was significant but didn’t threaten his place in line for the throne.

Both were reportedly on board with the plan, with Meghan expressing that it would be an opportunity to “take a step back,” and Harry seeing it as a chance to “take a breath.”

The South Africa Plan Never Came to Be

Despite the apparent interest in the plan, it never came to fruition.

The reasons remain unclear, but the Sussexes did go on their royal tour of southern Africa in September 2019.

While the trip was filled with notable moments, such as their meeting with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Harry retracing Princess Diana’s steps in an Angolan minefield, it quickly became overshadowed by controversy.

Meghan’s emotional interview with ITV, where she opened up about the challenges of media scrutiny and new motherhood, made headlines, as did Harry’s strong criticism of the British tabloid press.

The Aftermath of the Royal Africa Tour

The trip ended up being a PR disaster for the royal family.

Meghan’s candid moments, including her emotional admission that “not many people have asked if I’m okay,” and Harry’s sharp rebuke of the press, caught the public’s attention.

The trip, which had a hefty price tag of £246,000, became the most expensive royal tour at the time, only adding to the controversy.

Just three months later, Harry and Meghan shocked the world by announcing their decision to step back from their senior royal duties, with plans to become financially independent while splitting their time between the UK and the US.

This move, dubbed “Megxit,” sent shockwaves across the globe.

The Queen’s Response and the Sussexes’ New Life in Montecito

The Queen, reportedly hurt by the way the announcement was made, handled the situation with grace, issuing a rare personal statement that acknowledged the couple’s desire for independence while still expressing her love for them.

Today, Harry and Meghan live in a sprawling $14 million mansion in Montecito, California, a place known for attracting celebrities like Ariana Grande and Gwyneth Paltrow.

The couple’s journey from royal duties to a more private life in California has become one of the most talked-about stories in modern royal history.