Seven years after their highly publicized wedding at Windsor Castle, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are marking their anniversary against the backdrop of separate professional ambitions and continued estrangement from the royal family. The milestone comes as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex increasingly pursue individual projects while navigating the complexities of their post-royal lives in California.
Meghan has reemerged publicly with her lifestyle brand, As Ever, and returned to Instagram, where she offers curated glimpses into her life in Montecito. Prince Harry, meanwhile, has turned his attention to charitable endeavors, including the Invictus Games. Their professional divergence has sparked speculation about their marriage, though they have continued to appear together at public events, including the Invictus Games in Canada and a Beyoncé concert in Los Angeles.
"There's a silly old saying about the seven-year itch, but, to my eye, Harry and Meghan look as solid a couple as ever," former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told The Mirror. "Unless the two of them are putting on one hell of an act, they remain very much in love and extremely supportive of one another."
Bond noted that Meghan began their royal journey as an apprentice of sorts, learning the protocols from Harry. "Now they have two very separate paths, but that can be good for a marriage," she said. "Lots of couples are stronger for having different careers or interests."
The Sussexes' seventh anniversary arrives just weeks after Harry gave another controversial interview, in which he stated that his father, King Charles III, "will not speak to him" and that he does not know "how much longer my father has." The remarks were part of a BBC interview following the latest legal setback in his ongoing battle over U.K. security arrangements.
The fallout from their departure from royal duties, as well as public spats tied to their Netflix docuseries, Oprah Winfrey interview, and Harry's memoir Spare, has led to a wider chasm between the couple and both of their families. "They have certainly isolated themselves from their respective families," Bond observed. "Having burned so many bridges, they must rely ever more heavily on one another."
A source told Closer magazine that reconciliation with the royal family is "the last thing on Meghan's mind at the moment," despite Harry's reported interest in reestablishing some connection with the U.K. The insider added that "even if the Sussexes' security team is made up of elite special forces, Meghan will find an excuse to avoid coming to the UK."
Security remains a factor, but emotional discomfort also plays a role. "She doesn't feel welcomed by the British people or the royal family, so that has a large part to play," the source said.
Harry echoed similar sentiments during his BBC interview: "I can't see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the U.K. at this point," he said. "I love my country, I always have done, despite what some people in that country have done."
Speculation surrounds how the couple will spend their anniversary. While their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, remain largely shielded from public view, Meghan's Instagram presence has led some to anticipate a visual update. Bond speculated that "perhaps there will be a special dinner on Monday, after the kids are asleep."
In the U.S., the traditional seven-year wedding anniversary gift is copper, symbolizing durability and protection. "I'm sure they will be exchanging gifts of some sort," Bond added. "And the chances are, we'll get a glimpse of them on Instagram."
