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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Laura Elston & Zoe Forsey

Meghan Markle and Harry's most painful and controversial moments in 100 days since Megxit

It has been 100 days since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry shared their final Sussex Royal Instagram post and turned their backs on official duties.

Signing off with their first names rather than their official HRH titles, the couple thanked fans for their "support, the inspiration and the shared commitment to the good in the world".

The official Megxit date fell at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, and the couple used their goodbye message to ask people to look after each other and those around them.

The world has changed drastically in the months that followed, with a devastating Covid death toll, financial struggles and damaged economies.

There have also been a series of heartbreaks and difficult moments for Meghan and Harry as they adapted to their new lives in Canada and then LA, where they are currently living with their son Archie.

The couple at their final royal engagement - the Commonwealth Day Service on March 9 (WireImage)

We've taken a look back at the key events of the past 100 days, including the highs and the lows.

Before Megxit

The couple shocked well-wishers and their relatives when they announced they were stepping down from their duties in January.

Working out the logistics of their new lives reportedly caused anger and upset behind palace walls, with the Queen, Charles and William involved in the discussions.

The Sussexes' original plan was unworkable and would have led to accusations they were cashing in on their royal status.

A crisis summit involving Harry, the Queen, the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge concluded a "hard Megxit" was the only way.

The couple were reportedly unhappy with the final deal (AFP via Getty Images)

They were reportedly disappointed when they were told they couldn't continue to use the word 'royal' in their branding.

Harry and Meghan temporarily relocated to Canada while the details worked out, before moving to LA.

March 31 - Megxit day

The couple officially said goodbye to their social media community by sharing a goodbye message.

They wrote: "As we can all feel, the world at this moment seems extraordinarily fragile. Yet we are confident that every human being has the potential and opportunity to make a difference—as seen now across the globe, in our families, our communities and those on the front line—together we can lift each other up to realise the fullness of that promise.

"What’s most important right now is the health and wellbeing of everyone across the globe and finding solutions for the many issues that have presented themselves as a result of this pandemic.

"As we all find the part we are to play in this global shift and changing of habits, we are focusing this new chapter to understand how we can best contribute.

"While you may not see us here, the work continues.

Their final post on Instagram (Instagram)

"Thank you to this community - for the support, the inspiration and the shared commitment to the good in the world. We look forward to reconnecting with you soon. You’ve been great!

"Until then, please take good care of yourselves, and of one another.

"Harry and Meghan."

April 3

Disneynature's Elephant, which Meghan narrated, begins streaming.

She talks about the importance of family in her first post-royal.

She wasn't paid for her part, instead negotiating a charity donation.

(PA)

April 6

Details emerge of the couple's plans for a new foundation called Archewell, which will replace their Sussex Royal brand and is named in honour of their son.

April 12

Harry and Meghan spend Easter Sunday helping deliver meals to vulnerable and housebound people in Los Angeles through Project Angel Food.

April 16

Harry, in his role as patron of WellChild, video calls seriously ill children and their families.

April 17

Meghan's new project to feed Londoners in need is revealed, after she asked the Grenfell supporting women of the Hubb Community Kitchen to start a service providing meals to families struggling in lockdown.

April 20

The Sussexes write to the British tabloid press saying they will no longer co-operate with them, after watching people's lives "pulled apart" because "salacious gossip boosts advertising revenue".

Court documents in the duchess's privacy claim against Associated Newspapers over a letter she wrote to her father reveal the couple sent Thomas Markle text messages before their wedding, warning him that contacting the press would "backfire" and offering to help him.

April 21

Archie video-calls his great granny the Queen with his parents to celebrate her 94th birthday.

April 27

Former soldier Harry helps launch a new mental fitness tool for the military called  HeadFIT.org.

April 28

Harry's introduction to a special episode of an animated Thomas & Friends show is released.

April 29

The charity SmartWorks shares a video of Meghan mentoring a young woman ahead of her interview for an internship.

May 4

Details emerge about a new biography of the Sussexes by journalists Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, called Finding Freedom, which the authors have billed as an "accurate version" of Harry and Meghan's journey.

May 6

Archie celebrates his first birthday, with Save The Children posting a video of Meghan reading the book Duck! Rabbit! to her son as he grabs at the pages.

May 8

The pair are reported to be living in a £15 million mansion owned by entertainment tycoon Tyler Perry.

May 9

Harry says life has "changed dramatically" amid the outbreak of the Covid-19 illness in a video message about the Invictus Games.

May 11

The duke tells young members of OnSide Youth Zones about the pandemic: "This too shall pass".

May 19

The Sussexes celebrate their second wedding anniversary.

June 4

Meghan delivers a powerful speech to girls at her former high school in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests, and addresses racial divisions and the death of George Floyd in the US.

June 12

Meghan's close friend Jessica Mulroney apologises to a lifestyle blogger after being accused of threatening her in an example of "textbook white privilege".

June 24

The duke and duchess join members of Homeboy Industries in a cooking session for the organisation's Feed Hope programme in LA.

It is revealed the Sussexes have signed with New York-based Harry Walker Agency speaking agency which represents the Obamas and the Clintons.

June 25

Harry appears in a video for England Rugby, saying: "We all miss rugby".

June 27

The duke launches a 248-mile Walking With The Wounded walk across Oman.

June 28

It emerges the Sussexes are supporting the Stop Hate for Profit campaign, which is calling on businesses to pause advertising on Facebook over its failure to do more to remove hate speech.

July 1

Harry sets out his personal commitment to tackling institutional racism, warning it has no place in society but that it remains endemic, in a message at the Diana Awards on his late mother's birthday.
Meghan claims she was "unprotected by the institution" of the monarchy when attacked by the media and "prohibited from defending herself", according to leaked court documents.

July 3

The formal winding up of their Sussex Royal Foundation begins as the duke and duchess press ahead with plans for their Archewell organisation.

July 6

Harry and Meghan warn the Commonwealth's past wrongs need to be acknowledged as they join a discussion with young leaders in response to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Financial documents show Harry and William agreed in December to equally split the future proceeds of their mother's memorial fund, after they separated their charitable activities.

July 7

Meghan is announced as a guest speaker for the GirlUp gender equality summit.

Harry, filmed in LA overlooking a backdrop of leafy trees under clear, blue skies, delivers a message on resilience for the opening of the 23rd International Aids Conference.

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