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Now that Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex have left their royal duties behind, experts are weighing in with their thoughts on how Meghan might not have been ready for the life of a royal. The queen’s biographer believes that Meghan likely “really regrets” how she gave up her acting career to marry Harry.

Meghan Markle as Rachel Zane on Suits
Meghan Markle as Rachel Zane on ‘Suits’ | Ian Watson/USA Network/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Meghan retired from acting

When Prince Harry and Meghan announced their engagement, Meghan also shared her plans as an actress — in short, she was leaving her career behind to become the Duchess of Sussex.

She explained the reason behind her decision to leave her role on the TV show Suits, sharing in an interview with Sky News at the time: “I just see it as a change… It’s a new chapter, right? And also keep in mind I’ve been working on my show for seven years…”

Meghan added: “I feel really proud of the work I have done there and now it’s time to, as you said work — work as a team with — with [Harry].”

Prince Harry and Meghan announced their plans to ‘step back’

In January 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan shocked many when they announced a plan to leave behind their royal lives, sharing in an Instagram post: “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.”

While there were reports that the queen was blindsided by their plan, she worked to finalize plans for the Sussexes and released a statement of support for their decision. “I recognise 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,” the queen’s statement shared, in part.

Did Meghan regret leaving her acting career?

Meghan had to give up the career she was pursuing as an actress to marry Prince Harry and live in England, something she seemed at peace about when they had their engagement interview in 2017, but one royal expert claims Meghan regretted the move.

Sally Bedell Smith, the Queen’s biographer, explained how Meghan may have felt regret about her career retirement. “It seems now that she really regrets having had to give that up,” Bedell Smith told Vanity Fair, adding, “and what she was expected to do in the royal family didn’t compare with what she had been accustomed to.”

While Bedell Smith pointed to the “innumerable advantages and perks” of joining the royal family, it comes at a cost. She shared that you give up “a lot of things that may have meant a lot to you and dedicate yourself to an institution that’s 1,000 years old.”

The couple were given the option to live without titles

According to a new report, Prince Harry and Meghan were given the option of living without their Duke and Duchess titles before their royal wedding.

“From the early days, the Queen really wanted to agree a smooth transition for Meghan,” a source told The Sun, adding, “The offer would have allowed her to carry on her career but she was happy to stop acting to become a working member of the royal family.”

The insider continued: “Royal officials were frustrated that she and Harry now appear to be saying they were pressured into quitting royal life.”

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