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After a lifetime of service within the British royal family, Prince Harry has decided to leave The Firm and find his own path. Though many royal fans and experts knew that the prince and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex were struggling with their fishbowl existence as senior royals, no one saw Megxit coming.

Now the Sussexes have resigned from their positions and have moved halfway across the world to the duchess’ hometown, Los Angeles, California. In LA, the duo hopes to launch their Archewell foundation in an effort to continue helping others while becoming totally financially independent of the royal family.

Though the duke’s decision has left many scratching their heads, one royal expert believes he’s following in the same footsteps of his father, Prince Charles.

Prince Harry will finally be able to stick up for himself

It’s well known that the British royal family doesn’t respond to rumors, tabloids, or accusations. Unfortunately, that means that when terrible things are said, the royal family has no way of defending themselves. Also, because they are to remain neutral, they can’t give any real opinions on politics or policies. As someone with his own mind and passions, that has been incredibly frustrating for Prince Harry over the years.

Now, he’s looking forward to speaking his own mind with Buckingham Palace holding him back.  “Certainly being in a different position now gives us the ability to say things and do things that we might not have been able to do,” he said during a leaked phone call. “And seeing as everyone under the age of 35 or 36 seems to be carrying out an activist’s role, gives us the opportunity to try and make more of a difference without being criticized. Oh no, I think it’s much better.”

Prince Harry wants to define himself outside of his royal linage

With the Sussexes’ Archewell foundation, they are seeking to “To do something of meaning, to do something that matters. Archewell is a name that combines an ancient word for strength and action, and another that evokes the deep resources we each must draw upon.”

Since the British royal family has so many traditions, the prince knew he’d be unable to do this within the royal family, especially within the shadow of his older brother, Prince William and the Cambridge legacy.

“The couple’s future isn’t certain,” The Atlantic’s 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. But — as Harry has often said — as soon as William’s three children become old enough to emerge as individual figures, the klieg lights will immediately turn to them. He is in a rush to make his mark and seems to treat life as a race, too.”

Prince Harry is following in Prince Charles’ footsteps

Though Prince Harry’s resignation from royal life is unprecedented in modern times, his father, Prince Charles attempted to do something similar. In a 1978 speech, the Prince of Wales said, “My great problem in life is that I do not know what my role in life is. But somehow, I must find one.”

When he retired from the Royal Navy, the prince also felt the same sentiments. “After six years in the Navy, Charles decided to move on, and for the remainder of the decade would be in search of both a meaningful role as a modern Prince of Wales and a wife,” writer Bob Colacello explained to Vanity Fair in 2005. “There was some talk between the Palace and the Government of appointing Charles Governor-General of Australia or ambassador to France. However, those plans were rejected since senior royals are not civil servants.”

In the end, the Prince of Wales focused on his new life with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and finding his footing as the future Crowned King. However, for Prince Harry, who will never sit on the throne, the opportunities to define himself have become limitless.

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