As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex near their seventh wedding anniversary, public interest in their relationship with the Royal Family remains high. Since their decision in 2020 to step back as senior working royals, Prince Harry and Meghan have built a life in the United States, focusing on charitable work and media projects through their Archewell Foundation.
During this time, their interactions with members of the Royal Family have been the subject of significant public and media discussion. One recurring topic is Princess Anne’s longstanding perspective on royal service — a viewpoint rooted in her decades of work as one of the most active members of the monarchy.
Princess Anne’s Commitment to Duty
Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, is widely regarded for her extensive charitable work and consistent attendance at official engagements. According to Royal.uk, she has served as patron or president of over 300 organizations, often focusing on areas such as education, health, and sport.
Known for her practical approach, Anne has often described her royal work as a profession requiring preparation, punctuality, and dedication to public service. This outlook reflects her belief that being a member of the Royal Family is primarily about fulfilling responsibilities rather than seeking personal recognition.
Transition Challenges for New Working Royals
Adjusting to life as a working royal can be demanding. Public-facing duties involve a combination of ceremonial, charitable, and diplomatic responsibilities, often under close media scrutiny.
When Meghan Markle married Prince Harry in 2018, she joined the Royal Family with a successful career as an actress and a background in humanitarian work. While she participated in several high-profile engagements and launched initiatives such as the Together: Our Community Cookbook project, the pressures of public life, intense media attention, and personal challenges eventually contributed to the couple’s decision to step away from official duties.
In January 2020, Buckingham Palace released a formal statement confirming that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would no longer represent the Queen in an official capacity and would work toward becoming financially independent.
Meghan’s Life After Stepping Back
Since relocating to California, Meghan and Harry have focused on philanthropic initiatives, media production, and advocacy work. Through Archewell, they have launched projects related to mental health, digital safety, and gender equality.
The couple has also maintained select ties with charitable organizations in the UK, while building new partnerships with nonprofits and media platforms in the US.
Meghan Markle and Princess Eugenie’s Friendship
While media reports have often focused on challenges within the Sussexes’ relationships with some senior royals, Meghan has maintained a positive and long-standing friendship with Princess Eugenie.
According to multiple reputable outlets, including Harper’s Bazaar, the two knew each other prior to Meghan’s relationship with Prince Harry, through mutual acquaintances such as fashion designer Misha Nonoo. Their friendship has continued in the years since the Sussexes stepped down from official duties.
In 2022, Princess Eugenie visited the couple in California, and she has attended public events alongside them, such as the Super Bowl in Los Angeles. While the nature of their ongoing contact remains private, public appearances and photographic evidence suggest their friendship has endured.
Public Interest in Royal Advice and Guidance
While it is widely known that senior royals often offer guidance to new members of the family, specific conversations remain private unless shared by the individuals involved. Princess Anne’s own public interviews over the years have emphasized the importance of commitment and humility in royal work — values she has consistently demonstrated in her career.
The challenges faced by new working royals, including balancing public expectations with personal well-being, are a recurring topic in discussions about the modernization of the monarchy.
A Modern Royal Family in Transition
The departure of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from full-time royal duties was one of the most notable changes to the monarchy in recent years. Since then, the Royal Family has continued to adapt its public role, with senior members — including King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Catherine, and Princess Anne — carrying out engagements across the UK and abroad.
Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan have taken a different path, working on independent charitable and media projects while occasionally participating in events connected to their royal patronages.
Conclusion
Princess Anne’s decades-long dedication to royal duty represents a traditional model of service within the monarchy — one focused on responsibility, preparation, and sustained public engagement. Meghan Markle’s experience as a working royal was comparatively brief, shaped by the unique pressures of global media attention and a transition from an established professional career to the formal expectations of royal life.
While their approaches and experiences differ, both figures have contributed to conversations about the evolving role of the monarchy in the 21st century. Meghan’s continued friendship with Princess Eugenie also highlights that personal bonds can remain strong even as official roles and circumstances change.
Sources:
- Royal.uk – The Princess Royal
- BBC News – Harry and Meghan Step Back as Senior Royals
- Harper’s Bazaar – Princess Eugenie and Meghan Markle Friendship