According to legal sources close to Meghan Markle, her prominent Los Angeles attorney has filed divorce papers in California, citing irreconcilable differences.
This development follows closely on the heels of the couple's recent European tour, which included appearances in the UK and Germany. It appears that this trip was the final tipping point for Meghan, prompting her to take swift action upon returning to California.
To provide some context, it's important to remember that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from their roles as senior working royals in 2020, relocating to California in pursuit of privacy and financial independence. However, the transition has not been as seamless as they might have hoped. The couple has been embroiled in ongoing battles with the British press, and tensions with members of the royal family, particularly Prince William, have persisted. With the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations taking place in June, the couple faced pressure to make public appearances in Europe to mark the occasion. Their European tour began in Manchester at the One Young World Summit, where Meghan delivered a keynote speech. They then traveled to Germany for the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023, an event with which Prince Harry is deeply involved.
During this relatively brief time in Europe, sources indicate that the underlying issues between Harry and Meghan reached a boiling point. The return to the royal environment and the intense public scrutiny that accompanied their visit reportedly took a heavy toll, particularly on Meghan. Insiders reveal that she found the trip extremely stressful, reigniting feelings of being unwelcome and trapped in her former royal life. Simultaneously, it seems that Harry is grappling with the emotional strain of living far from his family and homeland, though he remains deeply committed to Meghan and their children, Archie and Lilibet, who are based in California.
Reports suggest that while in Europe, the couple had several heated discussions about their long-term plans and future as a married couple. Meghan is said to have found Harry's ongoing devotion to his royal duties and family to be a complicating factor in their ability to fully detach from royal life as they had initially intended. By the time they returned to California, the situation between them had significantly deteriorated. It was then that Meghan reportedly concluded that their marriage had run its course, losing hope that they could reconcile their differences. Within weeks of their return, Meghan had her high-powered attorney, Amanda Russo, file for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
Insiders indicate that Meghan made the bold decision to end the marriage swiftly to avoid prolonging any further pain and conflict. She also sought to take control of the divorce narrative rather than allow it to become a drawn-out public spectacle. The timing of the filing is notable, as fall typically marks a busy social season in Montecito, where the couple resides among their celebrity friends and neighbors. Meghan is reportedly seeking full physical and legal custody of Archie and Lilibet, given their young age, and will likely pursue a substantial financial settlement from Harry, considering her contributions to their public profile and joint projects over the years. The couple's $14 million Montecito mansion is among the assets that will need to be divided, which could complicate the proceedings.
Although Harry and Meghan have not publicly addressed the divorce reports, sources close to the couple have confirmed their accuracy. It is anticipated that they will release a carefully worded statement in the coming days, acknowledging the end of their marriage. However, given the existing tensions with the monarchy, it is unlikely that senior royals such as Charles and William will be heavily involved at this stage. Some observers express sympathy, believing the couple was ultimately mismatched and that the intense public scrutiny only exacerbated their issues after stepping back from royal duties. Others, however, are less forgiving of Meghan, viewing this development as evidence that she was unwilling to fully adapt to life as a royal wife. There are also those who question whether Meghan ever intended for the marriage to last, given her career ambitions.
