Windsor Rain and a California Morning

On May 19, 2018, it was raining at Windsor Castle. In the global live broadcast, Meghan Markle walked alone down the nave of St George’s Chapel in a Givenchy gown. No father on her arm. Halfway through, Prince Charles took her hand. The BBC commentator said “modern,” said “diverse,” said “a new face for the monarchy.” The next day, the tabloid front pages said “fairy tale.”

Three months before the wedding, Kensington Palace’s official social media accounts posted a clip from the engagement interview. Harry said “all the stars were aligned,” and Meghan said “we’re very happy.” The camera cut to her touching her hair, to the way he looked at her. That clip was cut into fifteen seconds and looped millions of times on Instagram.

Six months after the wedding, the same tabloids began using another word: difficult. Reports appeared with anonymous court aides saying she was “too demanding with staff” and “sent emails at five in the morning.” Meghan later said in an interview that she did not know who she could still trust. When that sentence aired, she paused for two seconds and looked down at her knees.

In 2019, Harry and Meghan’s son Archie was born. By convention, royal newborns appear on the hospital steps a few days after birth. They did not. Meghan said in an interview that someone had worried about how dark the child’s skin might be. She did not say who. Buckingham Palace neither denied nor confirmed the claim. The statement said: “Recollections may vary, but they will be taken seriously.”

That year, according to a Guardian tally, the number of negative stories about Harry and Meghan in the British tabloids was three times that of Kate. Kate was photographed with messy hair, and the headline said “natural beauty.” Meghan was photographed in the same state, and the headline said “sloppy.” Kate took maternity leave, and the copy said “devoted mother.” Meghan took maternity leave, and the copy said “dodging royal duties.” The headlines sit side by side. No narration is needed.

In October 2019, Meghan said in an ITV documentary that no one had asked if she was okay. When she said “thank you for asking,” her eyes reddened, but she did not cry. The camera cut to Harry. He pressed his lips together and tapped his fingers twice on his knee.

On January 8, 2020, Harry and Meghan posted a statement on Instagram: they would step back as senior members of the royal family, pursue financial independence, and balance their time between North America and the UK. The wording was “step back.” Six days later, the Queen issued a statement saying she supported “their wish,” but that “they cannot continue with the duties that come with a life of public service” and would no longer receive public funds associated with those duties. The HRH titles were removed. The statement was three paragraphs long and contained no adjectives.

In March 2021, the Oprah interview aired. Meghan said that inside the royal family she “didn’t want to be alive anymore.” As she said it, she held a tissue in her hand but did not wipe her tears. Harry sat beside her, his hand on the back of her chair, not touching her. After the interview aired, the front page of the Daily Mail read “Meghan destroys the royal family?” The New York Times headline read “Meghan Says Royal Family Discussed Color of Archie’s Skin.” One event. Two headlines. Two readerships.

Buckingham Palace responded the next day: the whole family was “saddened,” but “recollections may vary.” The statement offered no explanation and no apology. It did not counterattack.

In September 2022, the Queen died. Harry and Meghan appeared outside Windsor Castle, walking side by side with William and Kate, looking at the flowers the public had laid down. A tabloid headline said “truce.” Three days later, another tabloid headline said “Meghan steals the spotlight.” In the photograph she wore a black dress, stood close to Kate, and did not speak.

In 2023, Harry published his memoir Spare. In the book he wrote that he had killed 25 people while serving in Afghanistan, that he and William had fought, and that the first time he saw Meghan it was “like being struck by lightning.” The book sold well. The tabloids wrote “Harry betrays his family.” Buckingham Palace did not respond.

In 2024, Meghan recorded a podcast at her home in Montecito, California. She said: “I’m no longer a royal, but the label is still there.” As she said it, California sunlight was outside the window, and there was a lemon tree in the yard. She paused, then said: “This morning I made pancakes for Archie. He ate three bites and ran.”

On the day of the Windsor wedding, the rain stopped at three in the afternoon. The cheers outside the chapel carried far. Five years later, the same tabloid’s front-page headline was “Meghan again.” Buckingham Palace did not comment. In California, it was morning, and the lemon tree was still there.