Harry and Meghan proposed in their original ‘declaration of independence’ to split their time between the UK and North America. However, after discussions with the Queen it became apparent that the couple would have to spend the majority of their time in North America. Royal fans thought the Sussexes had settled in Canada but moved just after the Canadian borders shut, quickly relocating to Meghan’s former home state Los Angeles, in California.

Some compared Meghan and Harry’s decision with the only other voluntary decision to step away from the royal frontline in recent royal history — that of King Edward VIII.

He abdicated before his coronation in 1936 so that he could marry the twice-divorced American Wallis Simpson.

He left behind such turmoil that his brother and predecessor, King George VI, pushed him to stay abroad in France.

According to Vogue magazine in January, Edward and Mrs Simpson “were exiled”.

Writer Elise Taylor explained: “They could not return home without the permission of his brother, the new King George VI, for fears it could cause public unrest.

“To keep [Edward] in line, the government threatened to suspend payments from his financial settlement.”

When World War 2 broke out, Edward became a major-general in France.

However, his alleged Nazi sympathies raised concerns for both Buckingham Palace and the Government, so he was appointed as the governor of the Bahamas to keep him away from the Western front in 1940.

This did not suit the Duke of Windsor, and he dubbed it a “third-class British colony” in a letter to his brother in 1945, while the Duchess of Windsor later called it an appointment of little consequence.

During a rare and brief visit to England following World War 2, he had an interview with the Manchester Guardian.

The Vogue article explained: “He told reporters that he wasn’t going to keep the house in Paris, and that the chateau he had in the South of France was only rented.

“He had no plans, and no job—but he wanted one! One that he could do well.

“A reporter put two and two together.”

The journalist said: “Would you prefer a job in this country?”

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According to the article, Edward replied: “Yes, indeed. Yes, certainly.”

Reports emerged of Edward’s potential return to Britain after he visited former Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1953.

Yet, when questioned about it by a reporter, the former monarch replied: “When I left Britain 16 years ago i said that I was always available, and I am still available.”

Ms Taylor added: “Nothing ever materialised.”

Harry was also a decorated soldier, like Edward, and found himself at a loss in 2015 when he left the Army after a decade of service.

He expressed his sadness at losing his military appointments, too, in the Megxit discussions.

It is not certain what career path he will pursue, but he was in the process of making a docu-series about mental health with Oprah Winfrey.

Many Palace officials are said to be concerned that he and Meghan may end up commercialising the crown if they take on certain jobs.

Similarly, Edward was reportedly offered jobs in the private sector, but as the Vogue article pointed out “making money in commerce and industry was a conflict of interest to his family”.

However, a key difference between the Sussexes and the Windsors must also be noted — Meghan and Harry are still considered a key part of the Royal Family.

Edward and Mrs Simpson, on the other hand, were effectively not welcomed back to the UK.

Buckingham Palace even expressed its sympathy with the Sussexes in a recent statement: “We understand [the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s] desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.”

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