Finding Freedom

by Omid Scobie

  Five long days after the original meeting, the Queen issued a statement that a plan had emerged for “a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family” to take effect in the spring of 2020. This was followed by a statement from Harry and Meghan. Both outlined the terms of the deal, which stipulated that the couple would completely step back from royal duties. No longer working members of the royal family, they would no longer be able to use their HRH titles or the word “royal” in any of their future endeavors. Harry would lose his military honors, and his role as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador was also pulled.

  Harry and Meghan were allowed to maintain their private patronages. Although they could no longer formally represent the Queen, they “made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty.”

  As to the issue of money, Harry and Meghan would no longer receive public funds for royal duties. The couple took it even further, stating, “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shared their wish to repay Sovereign Grant expenditure for the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage, which will remain their UK family home.”

  That was £2.4 million of taxpayer money that sections of the British public were furious about when the number was confirmed in the 2018–2019 Sovereign Grant Report, released the previous July. Constant negative press coverage surrounding their renovations did little to help. It felt good to put that behind them. Offering to repay the money was a symbol of how much Harry and Meghan wanted to cut any ties. Privately, Prince Charles said he would help them financially, out of his own personal money, if they needed it. That was him being a caring father, not the Prince of Wales.

  Perhaps the most meaningful show of support, however, came from the Queen in her statement. “I recognize the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life,” she said.

  Throughout all the drama and the couple’s unhappiness, the Queen had always tried to be sensitive to her grandson’s needs. That one sentiment meant a lot to Harry, because it proved she had heard him during the summit when he, once again, expressed his frustration and anger that no one in the Palace had ever truly acknowledged what he and Meghan had experienced ever since their relationship was revealed.

  If his grandmother’s validation of his experiences served as encouragement, the most demoralizing aspect of the new deal was his being stripped of the honorary military appointments that had been awarded to him as a senior royal. As a retired serviceman, Harry would always be able to wear his medals, but no longer could he wear uniform as Captain General of the Royal Marines, Honorary Air Force Commandant of the Royal Air Force Base Honington, and honorary Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Navy’s Small Ships and Diving Operations. Those roles had come to an end. “That’s been a tough pill to swallow, and one that has been most painful to Meghan witness him go through,” a source close to the couple said. “It’s the one that made Harry emotional.”

  Harry put that emotion on display on January 19, a day after the statements came out, when he addressed those attending a dinner in central London to benefit Sentebale. He was forthright about his “sadness” at stepping down as a working member of the royal family, a decision he and Meghan did not take “lightly.” He was also clear to explain that he wasn’t “walking away” from his commitments, including to Sentebale, but would “continue the work to make real long-lasting impact for all those that have been left vulnerable.”

  “It has been our privilege to serve you, and we will continue to lead a life of service. I will always have the utmost respect for my grandmother, my commander in chief, and I am incredibly grateful to her and the rest of my family, for the support they have shown Meghan and I over the last few months,” Harry said in his speech, which was also shared to the Sussexes’ Instagram account. “I will continue to be the same man who holds his country dear and dedicates his life to supporting the causes, charities, and military communities that are so important to me. Together, you have given me an education about living.”

  The last line was similar to one his mother said in December 1993, a year after it was announced in Parliament that Diana and Charles were separating. Princess Diana, too, announced her withdrawal from public life in a speech at a charity benefit (for Headway, the National Head Injuries Association for which she was a patron).

  “In the past twelve years, I can honestly say, that one of my greatest pleasures has been my association with people like yourselves,” Diana said. “During those years I have met many thousands of wonderful and extraordinary people, both here and around the world. The cared for and the carers. To the wider public, may I say that I’ve made many friends. I’ve been allowed to share your thoughts and dreams, your disappointments and your happiness. You have also given me an education. By teaching me more about life and living than any books or teachers could have done.”

  The similarities between mother’s and son’s speeches weren’t a coincidence. Before writing his remarks, Harry refreshed his memory on what his mother had to say on the occasion of her making the decision to leave a life he now knew she felt privileged to be a part of but also trapped by its circumstances.

  At thirty-six, almost the same age his mother was when she died, Harry had received the same “education.”

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  Finding Freedom

  While the hours crept closer to the couple’s final day as working royals on March 31, it was as important as ever to Harry and Meghan to continue working. Commitments that had been made long before their January announcement still needed to be carried out, and for both of them, it was important not to let anyone down. Plus, they were at their best when they were busy.

  While they had spent most of their time since the announcement in Canada, a final slew of engagements was in the diary for the Sussexes back in the UK. Because the coronavirus outbreak in China was threatening Europe by then, neither felt it would be safe to bring Archie. They also weren’t fans of taking their baby on long-haul flights if it wasn’t necessary. So they agreed that Meghan would stay back until she needed to join Harry in a week’s time.

  Harry’s return to the UK on February 25 was an immediate reality check. Having flown into Heathrow, Harry continued his journey up to Scotland via train with a couple of protection officers who had flown over with him from Canada. Arriving at Waverley Station in Edinburgh, the prince was immediately confronted by three photographers, who had received a tip to his whereabouts. Harry grimaced at the sound of the camera shutters. “Come on, guys, what’s the point?” he said, as one of the paparazzi told him to smile. The prince gritted his teeth and picked up the pace until he reached the awaiting Range Rover. It was exactly the kind of homecoming he expected.

  Harry was in Edinburgh for his sustainable-travel initiative, Travalyst, which he had launched the previous summer with heavyweight industry partners Tripadvisor, Visa, Booking.com, and Skyscanner. He was now bringing the ambitious project into its next phase at a working summit, where he planned to unveil a new online scoring system to not only show travelers how eco-friendly their trips were but also guide them into how to make a positive impact on the destinations they visited. Harry had been inspired by his many trips to Botswana. Specifically, he told the authors of this book, that every time he returned to the African country his experience as a tourist improved, but the community creating that experience remained the same. “Seeing how little money was going back into communities was really surprising,” he said. “You have these big companies benefiting from tourism, but for the people living in these areas, that’s not often the case. The money from tourism needs to feed back appropriately into the communities people are visiting.”

  The following day, Harry was confident as he took to the stage to speak in front of a hundred representatives from the tourist and travel industry in Scotland. Gone were the Palace aides and the usual throng of accredited photographers outside waiting to take photos of him upon entering. By hi
s side were just two aides—former Royal Foundation communications officer James Holt, who continued to work with Harry in a private capacity, and Heather Wong, his former deputy private secretary, who now worked on his Travalyst initiative. “It’s good to be back focused on the work,” he said. “That’s what matters.”

  (Later in March, Harry chose to add another area of focus to Travalyst in response to the coronavirus pandemic. With the whole world not traveling, he explained in a meeting, there would now be a “fundamental shift” in the way people travel in the future. He wanted the initiative—now a nonprofit independent from the monarchy—to aid in global recovery and help guide consumers in supporting communities most in need when they start traveling to destinations around the world again. “There’s an opportunity to change the game for the better,” he said.)

  Scotland was a success, as well as a reminder that, despite losing so much, Harry still had much to offer. His own legacy was taking shape, away from the royal family. Arriving back at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, though, Harry didn’t feel the same warmth in the house that he had during his first months there with Meghan and Archie. The home, although still full of their belongings, was empty and cold. The lush grounds surrounding the property were still in the final days of winter, with little sign of spring around the corner. As he told a friend, “So much has changed since we were last here.”

  While Harry spent much of his time in the UK in meetings with Palace staff to tie up final details, he did make time for family. He had barely exchanged words with his brother since they had last seen each other at Sandringham, but Harry did enjoy chats on the phone with his father, whose private secretary Clive Alderton continued to oversee the final elements of Harry and Meghan’s transition. The line between family and institution was more blurred than ever, but it was perfectly clear who was playing what role when the Queen invited Harry over to lunch on March 1. Though his last time with Her Majesty had been in a more formal capacity, this time it would just be the two of them for Sunday lunch. “No titles,” an aide said. “Just granny and grandson.”

  Sitting at the Queen’s dining room in her Windsor Castle apartment, it was just like the old days. During Harry’s lonelier years, he would often look forward to spending time with his grandmother, be it for tea or a meal. Despite the strange dynamics of his family, which many outside the royal bubble struggle to understand, he would always love his grandmother. While he had lost respect for parts of the institution, and even certain family members at points, the Queen was still one of the most important women in his life. As they tucked into a roast lunch, the Queen made it clear to Harry that she would always support him in whatever he decided to do. Though a twelve-month trial period had already been promised to Harry earlier in the year, their conversation was also a reminder that should he and Meghan ever want to return to their roles, they were always welcome.

  “It’s been made very clear they can come back whenever they want, when they’re ready,” a source who had been involved with the negotiations said.

  Two days later, Harry was reunited with Meghan. (Archie was back at Vancouver Island, with the nanny and Jessica, who had flown again from Toronto to help out.) That afternoon the couple took their fifteen-person Buckingham Palace team out for lunch in London at the Goring Hotel, a favorite of the Queen’s and home to arguably the best beef Wellington in the city. It was one of the final times they would be with all the private aides and communications staff in one room. While the couple were appreciative for all the support they had received from the dedicated group, moving abroad and cutting themselves off from the Sovereign Grant meant they were unable to move forward with the same team. Both Harry and Meghan took turns to express their thanks and gratitude for everyone’s service, especially through what Meghan had called a “difficult and testing time.”

  The following evening marked their arrival at the Endeavour Fund Awards, which served as a showstopping reminder of their ability to command the world’s attention. Earlier in the day Daniel Martin (who, when planning all her looks for the week, had joked, “Go out with a bang!”) had done her makeup and George Northwood her hair.

  The event was in honor of wounded, injured, or sick service personnel and veterans who have gone on to use sports and adventurous challenge as part of their recovery and rehabilitation. The pictures of the couple beaming under their umbrella as they arrived at the event went viral around the world. The sparkling rain in the frame was pure coincidence, but the confident walk into the Mansion House venue, and Meghan’s blue midi dress by Victoria Beckham, were carefully planned. Despite all eyes being on them outside, the focus of the ceremony inside was firmly on the veterans, all of whom in turn spoke highly of the duke—or Captain Wales, as he’s known in the veteran community. His mission to support servicemen and servicewomen had seen Harry pledge to continue to support the community in his new non-working royal life in the UK and North America as well. The first task? Bringing together the work of the Endeavour Fund and Invictus Games, both of which he helped establish. “He’s deeply committed to these causes,” a friend said. “Though he lost his honors in this move, that doesn’t change his unwavering advocation.”

  Harry’s lifelong commitment to the military was why the Mountbatten Festival of Music three days later was a particularly difficult moment; he was set to wear his Captain General of the Royal Marines uniform for the very last time. During a conversation backstage, on arrival, Harry told Major General Matthew Holmes: “I’m devastated that I am having to step down.”

  “It was so unnecessary,” Meghan later told a friend of the decision to strip Harry of his military honors. “And it’s not just taking something away from him; it’s also that entire military veteran community. You can see how much he means to them, too. So why? The powers [of the institution] are unfortunately greater than me.”

  Though the evening served as a poignant tribute to Britain’s Armed Forces, it also became a moment to thank the much-loved prince for his contributions to the military community. Usually reserved for the end of the performance, guests at the Royal Albert Hall rose to a standing ovation as Harry and Meghan entered the royal box. As they stood, listening to the rapturous farewell and obvious affection, the couple both did their best to hold back tears as they gripped each other’s hands.

  Over the days ahead, the couple continued with a mix of private meetings and public appearances. Meghan’s surprise appearance delighted the children at an East London school, where she showed up at assembly to talk about the role men play in female empowerment to mark International Women’s Day. And Harry’s time at the Abbey Road Studios to watch Jon Bon Jovi rerecord his song “Unbroken” with the Invictus Games Choir, as a fundraiser for the Invictus Foundation, was fun and meaningful.

  Of course there were also more traditional royal engagements, such as Harry opening an immersive British motorsport museum alongside Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton (“There’s nothing better than officially opening a building that is very much open,” the duke joked, since the doors had officially opened in October 2019).

  On March 8, Harry wanted to attend a tribute service to a royal marine who had died in Afghanistan thirteen years earlier. Also attending was the Queen, who hadn’t seen Meghan since the couple’s bombshell statement. Harry drove them from Frogmore Cottage to the Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor Great Park. The Queen was warm and friendly to Meghan, treating her like a granddaughter and not as a defector. The service was for Ben Reddy, who had been killed at twenty-two when K Company of 42 Commando came under fire from militants in the volatile Helmand province on March 6, 2007. A plaque was unveiled in his memory at the event, where Harry wore his navy Royal Marines Corps tie. Ben hadn’t just been a fellow member of the armed services. His father had also worked as a gardener for the Queen for many years.

  For Meghan, her emotions were most raw at her final private engagement the following day: a meeting with the twenty-two students who received scholarships from the Associat
ion of Commonwealth Universities. Meghan had taken over from the Queen as royal patron of the ACU in 2019. And she vowed to continue to prioritize the organization even after officially stepping away, especially given her position as the vice president of the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust and a former scholarship student herself.

  The meeting took place in Buckingham Palace’s 1844 Room, arguably one of the most important spaces from the royal residence’s 775 rooms. It’s a room rich with history, where the Queen and royal family often receive their most distinguished visitors, from the Obamas, to President Xi Jinping of China, to Angelina Jolie. The Queen’s annual Christmas speech has been filmed there, too.

  Although it was a difficult day, Meghan made sure to be present with every student she met. Standing at the side of the room, Secretary General of the ACU Joanna Newman looked on proudly. Having come to know the duchess well from their numerous ACU engagements and meetings together, she was excited about their relationship continuing into the future because she understood Meghan’s power. “The headlines haven’t been about what our patron is wearing or the official engagement started at this time and ended at that time and there was a cup of tea in the middle,” Joanna said. “It’s about why we are doing what we do and why ACU exists. She’s been a real champion of the work that universities do.”

  After the meeting it was time to move on to the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey. That was when Harry quietly slipped through the door of the 1844 Room to say hello, and the reality—and the emotions—finally set in. Meghan turned around to hug goodbye the last remaining people in the room, including an author of this book.