Harry and Meghan to relocate to the US after 'struggle' with scrutiny

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly preparing for an extended stay in the US after a year marred by controversy and tumultuous press coverage.

The royals’ move is set to take place next month and will see the duke and duchess take five-month-old Archie to his maternal homeland for more than six weeks, according to The Times.

Family time stateside

Spurred on by a pending lawsuit against Britain’s most prominent tabloids and increasingly candid comments about their struggles with spotlight, the couple’s fleeing comes as no surprise to most royal watchers.

“The duke and duchess have a full schedule of engagements and commitments until November, after which they will be taking some much-needed family time,” an insider told the publication.

The Sussexes are expected to base themselves in Meghan’s hometown of Los Angeles for the duration of the stay as the duchess’ mother Doria is still based in the city.

Archie will also spend his first Thanksgiving with American relatives before returning to the UK in time to spend Christmas with the Queen at Sandringham, as per tradition.

News of the move comes just days after Meghan commissioned an emotional interview with ITV, revealing motherhood in the spotlight has been ‘a struggle’.

Meghan opens up

When asked about the impact of pressure of scrutiny on her health, a video clip from the channel’s upcoming documentary shows the emotional duchess trying to answer.

“Look, any woman especially when they are pregnant, you’re really vulnerable, and so that was made really challenging, and then when you have a newborn – you know…” she said.

“And especially as a woman, it’s a lot. So you add this on top of just trying to be a new mum or trying to be a newlywed it’s, well…”

Speaking to Tom Bradby, a friend of Prince Harry, the Duchess continued.

“And, also thank you for asking, because not many people have asked if I’m OK. But it’s a very real thing to be going through behind the scenes,” she said.

The interviewer then asks the royal if she’s “not really OK, as in it’s really been a struggle?” to which Meghan replies: “Yes”.

Previous to this, the couple’s behaviour for the past 12 months has largely attracted negative media coverage, due to near constant attempts to rock the royal boat.

This reached a new crescendo last month when the pair decided to launch legal action against three tabloids during what was otherwise a stellar tour of Southern Africa.

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