Royal family ‘treasured’ Meghan Markle before her ‘drastic change’

Meghan Markle was once considered a valuable asset to the royal family before everything took a drastic turn after her marriage to Prince Harry, according to royal photographer Arthur Edwards. In a candid interview with The Sun, Edwards shared his thoughts on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s early years and how things changed after their initial success.

Reflecting on Meghan’s first year as a royal, Edwards recalled, “The first year with Meghan she was fantastic. I traveled everywhere with them. She was a star, engaging with the public, and doing everything you’d expect a lady married into the royal family to do. Then suddenly, everything changed.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down from their senior royal roles in 2020, moving to the U.S. to carve out an independent path. Despite their initial intentions to continue supporting the royal family, many experts believe that the dynamics between Meghan, Harry, and the royal institution shifted drastically over time.

Edwards, who has closely observed Prince Harry over the years, also remarked on how the prince’s personality transformed after meeting Meghan. He shared that Harry “used to be so much fun” during royal engagements and was known for his spontaneous and warm gestures, like when he famously hugged Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller during a 2012 visit.

Edwards reflected on the sudden change in Harry’s behavior, particularly towards the press. “He used to say, ‘I’ll do everything I can to make it good for you,’ and that’s what shocked me when he just cut us all dead, that one time up in Manchester.”

The photographer recalled being deeply surprised and saddened by Harry’s shift in attitude. “I’ll never forget, and I was shocked. It was just the day he met Meghan or the day he fell in love with Meghan, and it’s all changed since then. I feel sad about that because he was a fabulous person to work with.”

Edwards’ comments echo the broader narrative of how Meghan and Harry’s relationship has led to significant changes in their roles within the royal family, sparking ongoing speculation and debate about their future.