Meghan Markle, 38, and Prince Harry, 35, have wrapped up royal duties in the UK and will cease to be senior royals from March 31. The couple first announced their bid for freedom in January having been unhappy in the royal limelight for months. While the couple received the Queen’s seal of approval, they were “crushed” by the way in which Megxit unfurled, according to one royal expert.

Royal correspondent and editor Omid Scobie has followed Meghan and Harry’s journey from the beginning.

He was there in 2017 when they announced their engagement to the world and was privy to Meghan’s emotional farewell to UK staff following her last royal appearance on Monday.

While Meghan and Harry had hoped to step back as royals while continuing to represent the Queen, it quickly became clear this would not be possible.

The final terms of Megxit laid out by the Queen mean the couple will cease to formally represent the Crown and will no longer be able to use the word “royal” to market themselves.

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Prince Harry also had to relinquish his honorary military titles, roles which as an ex-serviceman he held very close to his heart.

According to Mr Scobie Meghan and Harry’s hopes for a more flexible royal future “were dashed” by the institution.

In a piece for Bazaar.com MrScobie wrote: “Harry and Meghan’s hopes were quickly dashed by an institution seemingly unable to accept change as a viable option (even though some royals across Europe—and even other members of the British royal family—have succeeded in balancing duties to the crown and individual careers).

“To say they were crushed is an understatement. “

According to Mr Scobie, Meghan and Harry felt “left with no other choice” but to leave royal life behind.

He wrote: “It’s a decision that the couple still feel wasn’t necessary, but also wasn’t a surprise, given the lack of support they received as they were relentlessly attacked by sections of the British press with almost daily mistruths and hateful commentary.

“While recent tabloid coverage has made it seem like the Sussexes’ half-in-half-out bid was about wanting it all, the reality was a couple who were left with no other choice but to create their own change after being left to fend for themselves against impossible circumstances—even during her pregnancy.”

According to Mr Scobie, the couple wished to continue supporting the Queen but struggled in the royal limelight.

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He added: “They knew something had to change, but they also didn’t want to stop supporting the queen.

“One can’t help but wonder if things might have been different if a family member or two had stood up for them during the darkest times.”

Meghan is now baby in Canada with Baby Archie who turned 10-months-old last week.

While the Sussexes are expected to make North America their main base in future they wish to maintain strong ties with Britain.

Meghan and Harry will maintain their royal patronages after stepping down and showed their ongoing dedication to the causes as they bid farewell to royal life.

Meghan’s last solo engagement in the UK was with a group of Commonwealth scholars.

At the Buckingham Palace meeting, she honoured her role as patron of Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), which she took over from the Queen in January 2019.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said Meghan ”was thrilled to have the chance to meet inspirational scholars doing ground-breaking work in the fields of climate and the environment, sustainable cities, health and innovation and technology.”

They added: “As a university graduate who also benefitted from attending with support from a scholarship, The Duchess of Sussex is a strong advocate of accessible education for all.”

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