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According to reports from legal sources close to Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex has filed for divorce from Prince Harry in California, citing irreconcilable differences. This news comes just weeks after the couple toured Europe together for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, making appearances in the UK and Germany. It seems this trip took its toll on Meghan and she wasted no time moving things along legally after returning home to California.
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To provide some context around what may have led to this apparent bombshell divorce filing, let's recap Harry and Meghan's departure from their royal roles in early 2020. After stepping back from their positions as senior working royals, they moved to California in pursuit of privacy and financial independence. However, things have not gone entirely smoothly for the couple since relocating overseas. They have endured ongoing battles with the British press and continue to face reported tensions with some senior royals like Prince William.
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With the Queen's Jubilee celebrations taking place in June, Harry and Meghan felt pressured to make appearances in Europe to mark the occasion. They kicked things off in Manchester for the One Young World Summit, where Meghan delivered a keynote speech. They then traveled to Germany for the Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023 launch event, which Harry is closely involved with as founder. It was during this relatively short trip back to the UK and Europe that sources say the cracks in Harry and Meghan's relationship really began to show.
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Being immersed once again in royal duties and under intense public scrutiny took a significant toll on Meghan, who found the trip immensely stressful. It reportedly rekindled feelings of being unwelcome and trapped in her former royal life. At the same time, insiders say Harry is struggling with living so far from his family and homeland, though he remains devoted to Meghan and their children, Archie and Lilibet. Sources indicate the couple had several arguments while in Europe about their long-term plans and future as a married couple.
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Meghan is said to have found Harry's ongoing devotion to his royal duties and family complicated their ability to fully detach from The Firm as they wanted. By the time they returned to California, things had deteriorated dramatically between the pair according to sources. Meghan apparently decided the marriage had run its course and lost hope of reconciling their differences. Within just a matter of weeks, she instructed her high-powered attorney Amanda Sher to file divorce papers in California, citing irreconcilable differences.
Insiders say Meghan made the bold decision to officially end the marriage swiftly after their trip abroad, hoping to spare any further pain and arguments. She also wanted to take control of the divorce narrative rather than have it drag out publicly. The timing is significant given the busy social season Meghan and Harry inhabit in Montecito during the fall. Meghan is believed to be requesting full physical and legal custody of Archie, 3, and Lilibet, 1, given their young ages. She will likely also seek a sizeable financial settlement in light of her contribution to building their public profile and projects over recent years. Dividing their shared assets such as their $14 million Montecito mansion will undoubtedly prove complicated.
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While Harry and Meghan have not publicly addressed the divorce reports themselves, sources close to the couple have confirmed the veracity of the filings. An official statement from the Sussexes acknowledging the end of their marriage is expected in the coming days. However, given the fraught relationship between Harry, Meghan and senior members of the British royal family, observers do not anticipate much direct involvement from Charles, William or other senior royals at this stage.
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There is sympathy from some that Harry and Meghan were sadly mismatched and faced immense scrutiny after their decision to step back from royal duties, only exacerbating existing tensions. Others remain less forgiving of Meghan and see this as proof she struggled to truly adapt to life within the royal institution. Some critics also question if she ever intended the marriage to last long-term given her stated career ambitions independent of the monarchy. Only time will tell how the divorce proceedings progress and how Harry and Meghan choose to move forward from here.
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