Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's 'huge strain' as marriage 'not what they expected'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will celebrate seven years of marriage on Monday, but a royal biographer has claimed their relationship is not going the way they expected. The couple got married at St George's Chapel in 2018, with the momentous event gaining similar levels of public adoration as that of Prince William and Princess Kate.

Tom Bower, a royal biographer and former BBC journalist, said the time since their wedding has been an "unpredictable, tumultuous rollercoaster". While there is no doubt the pair are still very much in love, Tom said the writing was on the wall for their marriage after a number of Hollywood stars were invited to the wedding rather than Meghan's family.

As reported by , he said: "When the nation, and the world, saw them at St George's Chapel, they thought, 'This is bliss'. It was seen as a most wonderful image, something terrific for the Royal Family and terrific for Britain."

He continued: "Harry has always been besotted by Meghan, and of course they are now both devoted to their children."

Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, found themselves embroiled in family dramas in the days that approached their wedding. Thomas Markle Sr, Meghan's dad, admitted he had lied to Harry over claims he had staged paparazzi photos in exchange for payment.

Tom added: "The guest list showed where it was all going. It was full of Hollywood stars, and Meghan's family weren't there. Everything that was clear on that day has transpired - there has been a break-up of a family, and a move back to Hollywood."

Just a year after welcoming their first son, Prince Archie, Harry and Meghan announced they were stepping back as senior members of the Royal Family. They have since split their time between the UK and North America.

Tom said: "In the beginning, Harry found it terrific and Meghan clearly loved it. It was a great adventure. He had amazing free dom in the sunshine, paddling in the Pacific, embracing fatherhood and everything.

"So I think that at this stage, it was going well. But then their reality changed. The issue of their ties with the UK and Harry's family became apparent, and Harry found that very, very difficult."

In 2021, Harry and Meghan sat down to share their experiences with US presenter Oprah Winfrey. Harry also wrote an explosive memoir, Spare, and Meghan has released shows on Netflix.

Despite giving the couple huge financial security, Harry's relationship with his father and brother has been damaged. His recent High Court case over his security in the UK, and his comments about the King no longer speaking to him, essentially means the marriage is surrounded in turmoil, Tom warns.

He explained: "It's been an unpredictable, tumultuous rollercoaster, which is not what they expected. Harry's lost relationships with his family in England, and I think he is now a very lonely prince.

"But what is brilliant about them is they conceal the turmoil that they go through, such as with the court case on security in London. Harry is troubled, but Meghan can't help with that in any way. She doesn't want to be involved in Harry's battle with his family.

"She's focused on their life in California with the children and building her brand. Everything that's happened since their wedding has put a huge strain on them - but Meghan's a consummate performer and knows how to ignore criticism and present herself looking immaculate and smiling."

Tom believes Harry should prioritise spending time with Meghan and their children. He said: "I've never for a moment thought they would end their marriage.

"Instinctively, I think the marriage is sound because they have a lot in common and clearly have endless intensive conversations about their fate, which binds them.

"The marriage was ideal because he wanted to be saved, he needed help. Meghan is a sort of mother and lover, and that was what he needed. They both want to be loved, and they both love their children.

"They have a big enough house to have their own space from each other, and Harry will go off and do his things - for example attending an event in New York without her - and vice versa. They don't feel that they have to be together all the time."