On May 19, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary — a milestone that now feels far removed from the hopeful beginnings of their 2018 royal wedding. Their ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle was widely celebrated and seen as a progressive step for the monarchy. At the time, Harry and Meghan, alongside Prince William and Kate Middleton, were viewed as key figures in the royal family’s future.

However, much has changed since then. What started as a strain between the brothers has escalated into a deep divide between the Sussexes and the royal institution. Today, their relationship remains deeply fractured, with many experts doubting the likelihood of reconciliation.

The Wedding That Captivated the World

Harry and Meghan’s May 2018 wedding was the most prominent royal event since William and Kate’s in 2011. Though both ceremonies were lavish, their differences hinted at the divergent journeys the two couples would eventually follow.

Kate was escorted by her father, while Meghan walked in with her mother — a meaningful reflection of her strained relationship with her father, Thomas Markle. The tone of the weddings also differed: William and Kate’s was steeped in tradition and formality, whereas Harry and Meghan’s felt more personal and modern, featuring gospel music and other distinctive touches.

The guest lists further underscored these contrasts. William and Kate welcomed political figures and dignitaries, while Harry and Meghan’s attendees included Hollywood celebrities such as George and Amal Clooney, Oprah Winfrey, and Serena Williams. Some reports suggested that a few of the A-listers had only tenuous connections to the couple, prompting speculation about Meghan’s supposed “celebrity circle.”

Despite the spectacle, signs of strain emerged soon after. Just days post-wedding, reports surfaced of tension between Meghan and royal staff, as well as growing distance between the Sussexes and the Cambridges. By the time their son Archie arrived in 2019, Harry and Meghan were already beginning to question whether life within “the Firm” was truly sustainable.

Leaving the Royal Fold

In interviews since, Harry and Meghan have described how relentless media scrutiny and internal resistance pushed them to the breaking point. Meghan told The Cut that the couple had asked to relocate to another Commonwealth country, such as South Africa or Canada, while remaining part of the royal structure. The request was denied.

“Just by existing, we were upsetting the dynamic of the hierarchy,” Meghan explained. Their decision to step down and pursue independence was met with criticism from the press and disappointment from within the family.

Their final departure in 2020, captured in their Netflix docuseries, included what Harry called their “freedom flight” to California with Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland and baby Archie. What followed was a reinvention: new careers in media, lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify, and a life in Montecito with Archie and their daughter, Lilibet.

Six Years On: Success, Strain, and Speculation

From the outside, Harry and Meghan seem to have found stability. Meghan has launched her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, and Harry continues to focus on Invictus and other initiatives. Their recent trip to Nigeria even resembled a royal tour, though it was officially a private visit.

However, analysts suggest the fairy tale image is beginning to show cracks. Royal commentator Ingrid Seward told The Sun that while the couple’s life in California appears idyllic, public opinion has shifted. “We loved them for a while, and then we didn’t much anymore,” she said, noting that many feel they “let the Queen down” and are now viewed with a sense of pity back in the UK.

Historian Gareth Russell pointed out that the Sussexes may be shaping what looks like “an alternative royal family,” though he cautioned that this approach could invite increased scrutiny of their business ventures and public roles.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams added that the couple remains unpredictable: “They can always do the unexpected.”

Six years after their Windsor wedding, Harry and Meghan’s future is still uncertain. They’re financially independent, active in the public eye, and remain figures of intense debate. Whether they reconcile with the royal family or continue carving out a new identity remains one of the most intriguing unresolved questions facing the monarchy today.