In 2020, Prince Harry made the decision to step away from his royal responsibilities and embark on a new life in the United States. He was not the only member of the Royal Family who chose personal happiness over royal duties. King Edward VIII, later known as the Duke of Windsor, ascended to the throne in January 1936 following his father’s passing but abdicated in the same year due to his disdain for royal protocols and constitutional norms, sparking a crisis within the monarchy.

During his reign, the Duke of Windsor sought to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee in the process of divorcing her second husband. Faced with government opposition to their union, the Duke chose to relinquish the throne rather than give up on marrying Wallis.

Comparisons have been drawn between the Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson’s situation and that of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who also opted to step back from their royal duties. Royal historian Hugo Vickers, author of “Behind Closed Doors: The Tragic Untold Story of Wallis Simpson,” suggests that the parallels lie more between Harry and the Duke rather than Meghan and Wallis, emphasizing the pressure both Harry and the Duke felt regarding their royal roles.

Hugo Vickers notes that both the Duke of Windsor and Prince Harry followed their hearts over their obligations as royals, questioning the genuineness of their choices. He believes that duty, rather than pursuing personal happiness, ultimately leads to fulfillment for royals like Harry.

Following Harry and Meghan’s departure, the number of active working royals significantly decreased, with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor also scaling back his duties. Prince William has expressed a desire for a streamlined monarchy in the future, prompting the need for other family members to assist in royal duties.

As William hints at the shape of his reign and the future of the Royal Family, Hugo Vickers remains optimistic about the younger royals carrying on the monarchy’s work tirelessly. He sees a bright future for the monarchy, particularly under the leadership of William and Catherine, with support from their children, portraying the King and Queen as symbols of hope and pride for the nation.