Photo that convinced Harry and Meghan the royals were 'against them'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were reportedly 'convinced' the royals were 'against them' after the Queen shared her 2020 New Year photo, a royal expert is claiming.

The photo, which was taken in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace sees the Queen surrounded by her son Prince Charles, grandson Prince William and great-grandson Prince George, showing the line of succession.

Harry and Meghan
A royal expert has claimed that the Queen's New Year photo convinced Prince Harry and Meghan Markle the royals were 'against them'. Photo: Getty

But royal author Andrew Morton claims the photo made Harry and Meghan question their position in the royal family.

According to The Mirror, in his unauthorised biography, Meghan: A Hollywood Princess, Morton claims, "The royal couple suspected that the entire institution was conspiring against them. As they saw it, the evidence was all around them.

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"The unspoken code was straightforward: the future of the monarchy was assured, with or without Meghan and Harry."

It was just days after the photo was released that the Sussexes shocked everyone by announcing they were stepping down as senior royals and becoming financially independent.

The royal family
A photo of the Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George reportedly helped make Harry and Meghan's decision the leave royal life. Photo: Getty

At the time, Buckingham Palace responded, saying while they understood the pair's desire to do something different, they added, "These are complicated issues that will take time to work through."

Harry and Meghan have since created a life for themselves in California with their two children Lilibet and Archie.

They've announced several projects, but perhaps the most highly anticipated is Harry's memoir, which is believed to give insight into why the Sussexes left royal life behind.

Harry announced the memoirs with a statement that read, "I'm writing this not as the prince I was born but as the man, I have become.

“I've worn many hats over the years, both literally and figuratively, and my hope is that in telling my story - the highs and lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned - I can help show that no matter where we come from, we have more in common than we think."

Penguin Random House, the books' publisher said, "In an intimate and heartfelt memoir from one of the most fascinating and influential global figures of our time, Prince Harry will share, for the very first time, the definitive account of the experiences, adventures, losses, and life lessons that have helped shape him."

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