While Philip did not intervene in the couple’s decision to leave, he reportedly told the Queen he would “be soon out of it,” though biographer Gyles Brandreth noted Philip ultimately believed “people have to lead their lives as they think best,” even if he disagreed.

Since stepping down, Harry has attended several significant royal events alone. He appeared at King Charles’ coronation in May 2023, visited his father in February 2024 after the King’s cancer diagnosis, attended the Invictus Games’ 10th anniversary service in May, and later participated in a memorial for his uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes. Meghan, however, last joined him in the UK in 2022 for the Platinum Jubilee and the Queen’s funeral.

Rumors of Strain Inside the Sussex Marriage

Prince Philip’s old warning has gained new attention as fresh concerns emerge around Harry and Meghan’s marriage. RadarOnline recently reported that Meghan appeared “fighting back tears” and “overwhelmed” while browsing a bookstore near Montecito. “She’s an actress and can put on a brave face, but the mask was slipping,” one source said.

The tension reportedly centers on disagreements about their children’s privacy. Insiders claimed the couple had been “butting heads” after Meghan posted a Halloween-themed Instagram photo that included partial, obscured images of Archie and Lilibet—something that allegedly upset Harry. “He knows what it’s like to grow up in the spotlight,” one source explained.

Meghan’s Reported “Backup Plan”

At the same time, Meghan has returned to acting, filming a cameo in the comedy Close Personal Friends. Insiders suggested the project may be more than a simple creative return. “Acting could be her attempt to gain independence in case they pull the trigger on their marriage,” one source said. Another added, “It’s her backup plan in case she exits.”

Legal experts have noted that a divorce could be costly. Without a prenup—something “no one knows about,” according to L.A. attorney Louis J. Shapiro—Harry could reportedly lose around $60 million.