Megxit ’caused more ill feeling than necessary’ to Royal Family

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s departure from the Royal Family ‘definitely caused more ill feeling than was necessary’, Express.co.uk has been told, as The Firm braces for the release of the Duke’s upcoming memoir.The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced they were stepping back from royal duties in January 2020, less than two years after tying the knot.They announced on January 8 that they were leaving behind their roles as senior royals “after many months of reflection and internal discussions”.They would pursue financial independence ‘while continuing to fully support’ the late Queen Elizabeth II.Their surrendering of royal duties was confirmed by the Palace in February 2021, a decision which ‘saddened’ members of the Royal Family.However, a Buckingham Palace statement said the Duke and Duchess ‘remain much-loved members of the family’. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced they were stepping back from royal duties in January 2020 (Image: Getty) The couple relocated to the US (Image: Getty)But following the relocation of the Sussex family to the US, the Duke and Duchess appeared alongside US chat show host Oprah Winfrey and made several claims against the Royal Family.Professor Pauline Maclaran of Royal Holloway, University of London, exclusively told Express.co.uk the way Megxit was executed ‘definitely caused more ill feeling than was necessary’.Prof Maclaran, who is a royal branding expert, suggested if the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had ‘gone quietly’, without courting media attention and ‘setting themselves up as an alternative Royal Family’, the two sides could have ‘maintained’ relations.She added: ‘Their seemingly continuous stream of revelations about royal life and other members of the Royal Family has certainly created many problems and looks like this is set to continue.’READ MORE: Harry and Meghan could be ‘cast into wilderness’ by royals over book The Sussexes said they would pursue independence while supporting the Queen (Image: Getty)Professor Maclaran argued a “more discrete” exit could have circumvented the “chaos that ensured” from January 2020.This would involve setting up their own brand independent of the Firm, which distanced them from the appearance of “trading” on their profile as royals.The Duke and Duchess continue to use their Sussex titles, despite losing their HRH titles.The royals are also waiting to discover what exactly is contained in Prince Harry’s tell-all memoir, which is believed to be a unique insight into the Royal Family from someone who was born into The Firm.DON’T MISS: Meghan accused of ‘showing off’ as new crown cypher emerges on letter [LIVE] Meghan Markle top choice for President – but would get rude awakening [REPORT] POLL: Was King Charles right to ban Prince Andrew from royal return? [VOTE] Prof Maclaran suggested good relations could have been possible in other circumstances (Image: Getty)Professor Maclaran added: “Had Harry and Meghan been more discrete in their departure and simply set up their own enterprise that didn’t seem to trade on their royal connections, then I think much of the chaos that ensued could have been avoided or at least minimised and, likely, good relations could have been maintained with King Charles and the rest of the family.”Prince Harry and Meghan had already returned from California to the UK just before the Queen died in early September, and joined the rest of the royals during the country’s mourning period.They were a key part of the Queen’s state funeral, departing back for their home a few days after the procession and committal service.King Charles III used his first speech as monarch to refer to his son and daughter-in-law, in what was widely seen as an olive branch.The new sovereign said he wished to “express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas”.