It's been five years since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle quit their duties as senior members of the UK Royal family and moved to the US, to start their life afresh and independent of the Crown. When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties in 2020, the world was stunned. Their move, dubbed “Megxit,” sparked headlines, debates, and no shortage of judgment. For many, it felt like a royal rupture — a modern fairy tale undone. However, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex still keep making the headlines, though mostly due to their controversies. But, did you know that Harry and Meghan are not the first ones to quit the Royal life? Yes, you read that right. Infact, before Harry and Meghan, a British King also quit the Royal life and decided to move to the USA which makes the Sussex's lives seem as if history is repeating itself. Read on to know more about who was this British King who abdicated the throne, why he did so, and how it controversial decision changed the British monarchy forever
King Edward VIII: Torn between duty and desire
Photo: Getty Images
Edward VIII was never meant to be a rebel. As the eldest son of King George V, he was groomed from birth to rule. But unlike his stern father or his dutiful younger brother Albert (who would later become King George VI-- Queen Elizabeth father), Edward was charismatic, emotional, and unpredictable. He connected easily with the public — shaking hands, flashing smiles — but struggled deeply with the restrictions of royal life.
Then came Wallis Simpson, a twice-divorced American socialite with sharp wit, strong opinions, and a presence that captivated Edward entirely. (For the unversed, Meghan Markle too was an American actress and a divorcee when she married Prince Harry in 2018!)
King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson's relationship scandalised the Crown. In 1936, just months after ascending the throne, Edward stunned the nation: He would abdicate the crown to marry the woman he loved. (Just like Harry left the royal family for his lady love-- Meghan!)
“I have found it impossible…”
Edward’s famous abdication speech, broadcast to a stunned British public, still echoes through time:
"I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility... without the help and support of the woman I love."
It was a moment of rare vulnerability, a royal choosing personal happiness over the weight of the Crown. Edward stepped aside, leaving his younger brother Albert to pick up the pieces and the burden of the Crown. The monarchy survived — just as it has with Harry and Meghan — but it was forever altered.
What Edward did wasn’t just romantic; it was revolutionary. He refused to live a life that didn’t feel authentic. And while history hasn’t always been kind to him, his choice resonates more today than ever before.
Blast from the past
Fast forward nearly a century, and Prince Harry found himself walking a similar path. Born the “spare” to Prince William’s “heir,” Harry was beloved by the public but battled demons beneath the surface — grief, anxiety, and a deep discomfort with the public scrutiny that came with being a royal.
Then came Meghan Markle — another American woman, strong-willed, outspoken, and deeply in love. Together, they faced relentless tabloid harassment, racism, and pressure from within the royal institution. When they finally stepped down from their official duties in 2020, it wasn’t without pain. But like Edward, Harry chose love, freedom, and the right to protect his family over the demands of duty.
When history repeats itself
Edward and Harry were separated by time, temperament, and even legacy. But at their core, both men shared something deeply human: the courage to walk away from privilege in pursuit of something real. For Edward, it was love without compromise. For Harry, it was a safe life for his wife and children — Archie and Lilibet— and the chance to speak his truth.
Royal titles and palaces may glitter, but behind the velvet curtains are people — complex, flawed, longing for the same things we all do: love, safety, purpose. Edward VIII’s story isn’t just a royal footnote — it’s a reminder that the crown, for all its tradition, can’t always compete with the heart.
History doesn’t judge, it reminds
In the end, whether you agree with King Edward’s choice or Prince Harry’s, one thing is clear: Both men rewrote the rules of royal life. They reminded us that behind every headline, crown, and coronation is a person struggling with impossible choices.
Not just Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Not just a king in love.
But real people, doing their best to live a life that feels true.
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