Fans were left stunned in January 2020 when Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex announced they would be leaving their roles as senior working members of the British royal family. Meghan, in particular, had been struggling amid constant bullying and scrutiny, but no one saw Megxit coming.

When the Sussexes announced their desire to step back, they decided they wanted to pursue financial independence and a life that would not leave every aspect of their beings up for examination and thought.

Later, Prince Harry also cited the fact that he did not want his son, Archie Harrison, growing up in the spotlight. Since moving to LA, the pair have been relatively low=key. However, one expert says the duke and duchess dont actually want a private life.

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After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. 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. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity. We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex For more information, please visit sussexroyal.com (link in bio) Image PA

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Jan 8, 2020 at 10:33am PST

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One of the reasons Meghan could not get into the swing of royal life is because shed lost total control of her image and personal narrative. She was essentially gagged under the royals stiff upper lip policy. It was all too constraining for her.

Even though [Meghan] was a famous actress, she could still do what she wanted in the way of getting around freely,an insider told theDaily Mailin 2018. But in her current role she cant go anywhere without her protection team, and thats a massive constraining force on an individual like her.

Now, with their own representatives, the Sussexes can clap-back against lies and rumors without feeling helplessly unprotected.

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Though theyve been only doing virtual appearances and volunteering in LA amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Sussexes have remained wildly popular. However, in order to maintain their global presence, they will need to be in the spotlight.

The couples future isnt certain,The Atlantics Caitlin Flanagan explained. They are hugely appealing and glamorous. Everyone in Hollywood is eager to host them. The first few years of this plan are going to be heady. [Harry] is in a rush to make his mark and seems to treat life as a race, too.

The Sussexes have a powerhouse Hollywood team and theyve recently signed to a prestigious speaking firm. However, they have not made any money yet. They do need to make money, royal expert Katie Nicholl toldEntertainment Tonight. Theyve been in LA since March, they left the Royal Family at the end of March, and as yet, they havent actually earned anything.

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Though they wanted control over their narratives and finances, Meghan and Prince Harry do not want a totally private life.

[Harry and Meghan] have stepped back not in search of a totally private life but for a different kind of public life, royal authorVictoria Murphy told Town & Country. A public life where they can have more control over who gets access to them and what they spend their time on.

As long as its the right path for them, thats all that matters.

Excerpt from:

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Are Now In Total Control Of Their Lives, Source Explains - Showbiz Cheat Sheet