In 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down as senior royals to lead a more "private" life away from the UK, choosing to settle in Montecito. Fast forward to 2026, and they are back on British soil, ready to carve out a new life for themselves with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. With many people questioning how the couple will balance a public life promoting their own ventures with their private lives, we look back at the words of Princess Diana which seem to echo the Sussex dream.
The former Princess of Wales announced her separation from King Charles (who was then Prince) on 9 December 1992, and a year later, before their divorce was finalised, she gave an impassioned speech at the Headway Lunch where she expressed her desire to lead "a meaningful public role" alongside "a more private life".
© GettyShe explained to the crowd: "At the end of this year, when I've completed my diary of official engagements, I will be reducing the extent of the public life I've led so far.
"I attach great importance to my charity work and intend to focus on a smaller range of areas in the future. Over the next few months I will be seeking a more suitable way of combining a meaningful public role, with hopefully, a more private life.
"My first priority will continue to be our children, William and Harry, who deserve as much love, and care, and attention as I am able to give, as well as an appreciation of the tradition into which they were born."
Diana was always keen to push her philanthropic and charitable efforts. She once said: "Nothing brings me more happiness than trying to help the most vulnerable people in society. It is a good and essential part of my life, a kind of destiny."
© Tim Graham Photo Library via GetDivorce settlement negotiations
It was in her divorce settlement that Diana cemented her wishes to ensure she could strike the perfect balance of still being part of the royal family but without the responsibility.
Her Royal Highness status was taken away, as was her royal security. At the time, Diana was said to have been pleased to no longer have royal protection as she didn't trust those around her. However, the mother-of-two was keen to retain her large apartment inside Kensington Palace and not be downgraded to a smaller residence.
© Tim Graham Photo Library via GetDiana's divorce was finalised by 1996, and the following year, ahead of her tragic death in August, she continued with her charitable efforts, utilising the interest that her name came with. Her missions included an Angola minefield tour, meeting Mother Teresa in New York and a three-day Bosnia landmine trip.
© AFP via Getty ImagesPrince Harry and Meghan Markle similarly seem to have an innate passion for charitable causes, perfectly highlighted with their organisation, Archewell Philanthropies. Prince Harry also has his personal project, the Invictus Games, a charity set up to empower serving and former military personnel who are injured. Could this new chapter in the UK be a chance to spearhead their charity work in the light of the UK media, while rubbing alongside the royal family rather than being key members of it? Time will tell.
