A private conversation between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, captured at a solemn royal event in 2018, has been interpreted by experts as a crucial early hint of their plan to leave the monarchy. According to a new documentary, the exchange suggests Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were discussing their future exit strategy years before their official announcement.
The Cryptic Abbey Conversation
The pivotal moment occurred in November 2018, as the couple attended a Service of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey. They were seated among senior royals, including the late Queen Elizabeth II, to mark the Centenary of the Armistice. Lip reading expert Nicola Hickling, featured in the Channel 5 documentary Lip-Reading The Royals: The Secret Conversations, analysed footage of the pair before the ceremony began.
Hickling claims Meghan was seen instructing Harry to "take advantage of the situation" before glancing around at the surrounding family members. When Harry reportedly asked "Today?", Meghan's alleged response was "Do it tonight." Harry then posed a significant question: "You do realise that this is the end?" to which Meghan is said to have replied, "Yeah, I do know."
Historical Context and Expert Analysis
Royal historian Dr Tessa Dunlop suggests this private discussion indicates the Sussexes' dramatic exit from the royal family was being contemplated far earlier than publicly known. This conversation took place a mere six months after their Windsor Castle wedding and roughly 14 months before their official 'Megxit' statement in January 2020.
Despite this cryptic talk, the couple remained working royals. Their first child, Prince Archie, was born in May 2019, and they continued their duties for eight months after his birth before stepping back.
The Path to California
The Sussexes finally announced their intention to "step back" as senior working royals in January 2020 via an Instagram statement. They expressed a desire to split their time between the UK and North America, aiming to raise Archie with an appreciation for his royal heritage while forging a new, more independent life.
This timeline aligns with Harry's later revelation in the couple's Netflix series that they had been planning the move for a "minimum of two years." He disclosed that in 2018, they had considered relocating to New Zealand or South Africa, with a South African move nearly happening before plans were leaked and became a "public debate," forcing them to change course.
The lip-read exchange at Westminster Abbey now stands as a potential key piece of evidence, offering a tantalising glimpse into the private deliberations that ultimately led to one of the most significant royal departures in modern history.
