Meghan Markle officially joined the Royal Family in 2018 and the future looked bright for her and her new husband, Prince Harry. But since then, the pair have left their royal duties and embarked on a life of their own and it’s been a turbulent path.

Royal expert Catherine Mayer has analysed the couple’s journey. In her book, Divide and Rule: Royal Women and Their Battles, she asks the question: “How and why did that dream crumble?” She says “everyone looked set to win” – from the reputation of the monarchy, to Prince Harry marrying his wife to be and even Meghan taking on a role as a royal.

But, Mayer says there were “forces and factors that derailed her [Meghan’s] hopes and ours”.

Mayer says: “Harry and Meghan’s marriage raised the groom to an all-time peak, fleetingly above Elizabeth II; the bride chartered as high as sixth place.

“Soon enough, she she learned the difference between manageable celebrity and her new level of fame: one opens doors, the other imprisons you.

“Also, for all but a lucky few, what goes up must come down.”

The Sussexes will return to the UK for the first time in four years as a family in July.

The trip is a rare visit and marks the one-year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games which will be held in Birmingham.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to travel with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

The last time Harry brought his family back home was in 2022, for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The Sussex couple also came back a few months later to attend the late monarch’s funeral.

Prince Harry and Meghan live in Montecito, California and have done so since 2020.

Harry remains a prince and fifth in line to the throne.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, kept their titles but are no longer referred to as His or Her Royal Highness.