When Meghan Markle and Prince Harry tied the knot at Windsor Castle in May 2018, their fairy-tale wedding captured the hearts of nearly two billion viewers worldwide.
Held inside St George’s Chapel and attended by the Queen, Prince Philip, senior royals, and a dazzling lineup of celebrity guests like George Clooney, David and Victoria Beckham, Sir Elton John, and Idris Elba, it was a global moment of celebration.
Last week, as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex marked their seventh wedding anniversary, they reportedly escaped California for a romantic spa retreat in Arizona. Meghan commemorated the milestone on Instagram with a heartfelt post featuring a pinboard collage of photos of herself, Harry, and their children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 3.
Alongside the images, she wrote: “Seven years of marriage. A lifetime of stories. Thanks to all of you (whether by our side, or from afar) who have loved and supported us throughout our love story – we appreciate you. Happy anniversary!”
Navigating Challenges Beyond the Fairy Tale
Despite many touching moments, the couple’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Two years after their wedding, Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties and relocated from the UK to Los Angeles via Canada. Welcomed by Hollywood’s elite, they inked lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify. Meanwhile, Harry worked on his explosive memoir Spare, which shattered sales records.
While Meghan is flourishing as an entrepreneur — hosting a podcast and managing her home-goods brand As Ever — Harry has faced a more turbulent period.
Bestselling royal author Robert Jobson told HELLO!: “Seven years ago, the couple seemed the picture of happiness. Today, despite detractors, they are still going strong — older, wiser, and more united than ever.
“They’ve weathered royal rifts, media storms, and criticism, but their loyalty and love remain constant. They’ve faced pressures few couples encounter but appear to have emerged stronger, with clarity about who they are together.”
Recent Struggles and Public Appearances
Harry has endured a tough few weeks, losing a Court of Appeal bid to reinstate his UK security detail and stepping down from the charity he co-founded, Sentebale, amid controversy involving allegations of bullying and racism within its leadership. Harry expressed he was “devastated” and “heartbroken” to leave the organisation he helped launch in 2006.
Still, the couple often share glimpses of their happy family life on social media. Since returning to Instagram this year, Meghan has posted updates featuring their children, alongside photos and videos of glamorous outings.
Their anniversary post included never-before-seen pictures of Archie and Lilibet cuddling, wedding snapshots, family vacations, and moments with their children outdoors.
Recently, Meghan has been blending promotion of As Ever with glimpses into their social life.
Highlights include two date nights in a week: attending Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour concert, where Meghan danced in a blue off-the-shoulder dress and Harry sported a cowboy hat, and a James Taylor concert in Santa Barbara, where the couple met the singer backstage.
They also reportedly joined a dinner party hosted by neighbors Paramount CEO Brian Robbins and his wife Tracy, alongside Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham.
Managing Public Perception and Career Paths
Some insiders believe these social media glimpses are a strategic effort to counter rumors that the couple is unhappy in the US. “Nothing happens by accident,” one source noted.
Both remain committed to their separate projects: Meghan recently hired Sarah Fosmo, former assistant to Bill Gates, as her senior advisor. Her Netflix series With Love is set to return later this year, while her podcast Confessions of a Female Founder continues weekly, alongside plans to expand As Ever.
Harry serves as chief impact officer at mental health firm BetterUp and remains on the board of their Archewell Foundation. Their production company Archewell Productions is developing TV projects like Polo and Heart of Invictus. However, their joint Spotify podcast deal ended after only 12 episodes.
Their early collaborative projects included the groundbreaking 2021 Oprah interview and a Netflix series about stepping back from royal duties. But a source explains, “When Meghan was called a bully in 2018, Harry basically lit his life on fire,” and since then their professional lives have diverged significantly. Harry faced the Sentebale controversy while Meghan continued promoting As Ever without interruption.
Reflecting on their journey, Harry said at the time: “I’m incredibly proud,” showing his desire to keep his personal challenges from affecting Meghan’s career.
Through highs and lows, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex appear to remain united — building a new life and legacy far from the royal spotlight.
