When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got engaged in 2017, it seemed like it was Meghan who was the one making all the sacrifices. She was quitting her day job, moving halfway across the world, and – at the time – dedicating her life to royal service. But three years and one baby boy later, the tables have turned. Now, Harry’s living in Meghan’s world – and according to insiders, the prince might be having second thoughts.
He may have the name, but Meghan’s got the vision, the connections, and the willingness to speak out on topics that a working royal would normally avoid like the plague – such as politics and the upcoming US presidential election. And heat has been told that, while Harry has said he trusts her choices, Meghan’s increasingly bold ambitions have got him concerned – especially as she’s told him there’s no going back.
“Meghan’s asked Harry to trust her and let her get on with brokering some million-dollar deals for their family,” says an insider close to the formerly royal couple who – as heat told you last week – have been holding meetings with TV and film executives in Hollywood. “She’s told him that there’s no way back now, so he has to embrace it. She’s pitched for them to have their own ‘Harry & Meghan’ TV network in the States, like Oprah has, which would mainly broadcast documentaries and promote the philanthropic work they’ve been doing.
“Harry feels it might be a bit much for them to have their own television channel, but Meghan is insisting that they need to think big. She’s even pitching the idea of taking their story to the big screen [the couple are rumoured to have contributed to their new biography Finding Freedom, although they have denied any involvement]. Her thinking is that, at some stage, there will be another movie about their life, so they might as well take control of the narrative.”
According to our source, Meghan is doing her best to strengthen their position and earning power in the US, which is essential if they’re going to keep the life they’re accustomed to – including paying off the $9m mortgage on their new Santa Barbara mansion. She’s also, quite clearly, relishing the opportunity to use her voice again when discussing topics off-limits to royals, such as politics, something she would have been obliged to avoid in the UK.
Check out: Meghan and Harry's relationship timeline
Meghan Markle And Prince Harry's Relationship Timeline
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met in London in July 2016.
2 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
They were introduced by mutual friend Markus Anderson, who is the director of Soho House.
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In October 2016, the Express became the first newspaper to publish news that Prince Harry had a new girlfriend.
4 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
On November 8th 2016, Kensington Palace released an unprecedented statement which referring to Markle as Harry's girlfriend for the first time.
5 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In the statement, Prince Harry condemned the 'wave of abuse and harrassment' faced by Markle, saying that he was 'worried about Ms. Markle's safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her.'
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'It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm,' the statement continued.
7 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple were papped together for the first time in December 2016, shopping for a Christmas tree in London at the Pines and Needles store.
8 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Later that week, they were seen on London's West End, catching a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
9 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In February, Prince Harry wore a his 'n' hers bracelet on the cover of Town & Country magazine, just weeks after Markle was pictured wearing the same one on Instagram.
10 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In March 2017, Meghan joined Prince Harry in the Caribbean for the wedding of his friend's Tom 'Skippy' Inskip and Lara Hughes-Young.
11 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
It was the first time that Markle accompanied Harry to a wedding, marking another milestone occasion for the couple.
12 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The first public event attended by the couple was the polo at Coworth Park in May 2017.
13 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Later in May, Markle attended the party portion of Pippa Middleton's wedding to James Middelton.
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Prince Harry was seen driving her to the event after the church ceremony.
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The couple were photographed together the following day at the wheelchair tennis.
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The couple 'broke with royal protocol' by holding hands and appearing affectionate while at the Invictus Games.
17 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Meghan referred to Harry as her boyfriend numerous times, saying: 'We're a couple. We're in love. I'm sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people understand is that this is our time.'
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In early November 2017, it was reported that Meghan Markle was leaving Suits after seven series.
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Much was made of Markle's choice of outfit: ripped jeans and a white blouse called 'The Husband'.
20 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Although Prince Harry was sat next to First Lady Melania Trump at the event, rather than his girlfriend, she was only seated a few rows behind him.
21 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple made their first official public appearance in September, when Markle attended the opening of Prince Harry's Invictus Games.
22 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
In mid-November 2017, bookies suspending betting on an impending royal engagement, as speculation grew that an announcement was about to be made.
23 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
On November 27th 2017, Prince Charles announced the engagement of his younger son Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after 15 months of dating.
24 of 32Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The couple later appeared at a photocall, with Markle wearing a white dress coat by Canadian brand Line The Label. The website has subsequently crashed.
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The engagement ring, by Cleave and Company, was reportedly designed by Prince Harry himself, using two stones that belonged to Princess Diana.
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When asked by waiting photographers if the proposal was romantic, Harry joked 'of course!'
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The couple indulged in some PDA at the closing ceremony.
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Meghan wore a maroon midi dress with a pleated chiffon skirt by one of her favourite Canadian brands Aritzia.
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She teamed it with a matching burgundy biker jacket by Mackage.
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Prince Harry reportedly spent time with Meghan's mother Doria while at the Games too.
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Prince Harry was photographed kissing Meghan.
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In late September 2017, it was reported that Meghan had met the Queen, prompting speculation that the relationship was getting serious.
Last week, Meghan interviewed famed feminist Gloria Steinem to discuss the importance of representation in elections and encourage people to vote, making it pretty clear she’d be voting Democrat. In the Q+A, Gloria told her, “I’m so glad that you’re home,” to which Meg replied, “Me, too, for so many reasons.” That didn’t go unnoticed by many Brits, some of whom expressed anger, saying the Duchess was being ungrateful, as the bill for her wedding security and repairs to their Frogmore Cottage residence (which they have since started to pay back) had been footed by the UK tax payer.
But while Meghan is loving their new set-up, Harry’s yet to find his niche. And – having insisted they were abandoning their royal duties to gain more privacy – we’re told he’s worried their new showbiz life may ruffle some feathers.
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“Harry is keenly aware of all the cries of hypocrisy if they’re seen to be courting celebrity,” says the insider. “He finds the fame thing quite hellish at times. He’s desperate for them to keep a lower profile and focus on their charity work. But Meghan’s adamant that they can still do Hollywood in a classy way. He’s happy to go along with it, but that doesn’t mean he has no regrets.”
The insider adds, “She keeps reminding him why they did this and what an amazing life she’s going to make for them. But it feels like his voice is being heard less and less.”
Read more in the latest issue of heat magazine - OUT NOW.