Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reflected on their final public engagement as senior working royals, an event that took place just two months after they announced their plans to step away from their official duties.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex marked their last royal appearance at the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey, five years ago.
In January 2020, the couple shocked the world by announcing their decision to step down as senior members of the royal family. Shortly after, they joined Queen Elizabeth II, then-Prince Charles, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and other royals for their final official duty at the high-profile annual service.
In their 2022 Netflix documentary, Harry & Meghan, the couple shared a rare behind-the-scenes look at the events leading up to that day and how they truly felt during their farewell appearance.
Since then, Meghan has expanded her media presence, launching another Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, where she collaborates with celebrity guests to share cooking tips and entertaining ideas.
Their documentary pulled back the curtain on royal life, offering an unprecedented, candid perspective that surprised many viewers.
Reflecting on their last engagement, Meghan recalled: “The first time we saw the other members of the family after our announcement was in public at Westminster Abbey.”
Harry admitted to feeling anxious about the event: “We were nervous about seeing the family because of all the TV cameras, the people watching at home, and the audience in front of us.
“It felt like we were living in a soap opera where everyone saw us as a form of entertainment.”
During the service, the couple sat behind Prince William and Kate Middleton. Meghan greeted them with a smile and a wave as they took their seats, but according to Harry, the atmosphere was far from warm.
He reflected: “I felt really distant from my family, which was interesting because so much of what they do is about appearances rather than emotions.
“And while it looked cold, it also felt cold.”
Following their exit from royal duties, Queen Elizabeth released a rare personal statement addressing their decision.
“My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family,” she said.
“Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life while remaining a valued part of my family.”
