BRAND SUSSEX Is it broken?

Harry and Meghan are said to be on different paths, their marriage strained to breaking. Can they survive and rebuild their battered reputations?

- MARIA COOLE

On a glorious sunny morning half a decade ago, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. It was 19 May 2018, the couple radiated happiness and next day The Sun on Sunday’s front page read: ‘Kisstory – Harry and Meg’s historic change for the monarchy.’ In Meghan’s homeland, The New York Times declared: ‘A royal union for the 21st century, with an air of black culture.’ 

What a difference five feisty years make. Having severed all ties with the Royal Family in 2020, the couple are constantly in the papers for less happy reasons. The honeymoon is definitely over for the Sussexes, but are they growing in different directions? As they shake off the vestiges of royal life over in the States, this year has seen Harry and Meghan facing a rocky year of ridicule.

From royal to ridiculous 

In March, along came that South Park episode titled ‘The Worldwide Privacy Tour’ which, many critics argued, perfectly skewered the couple. If they felt bruised by such a high-profile humiliating takedown, there was even more to come.