In January 2020, Harry and Meghan stunned the world by announcing their decision to step back from royal life, a mere two years after their fairy-tale wedding. And according to one expert, this might have been exactly what Meghan had intended all along.

Meghan Markle, once warmly embraced by the royal family after her relationship with Prince Harry became public, appeared to take a different path soon after their 2018 nuptials. By early 2020, the couple declared their intention to quit royal duties and ultimately moved to Canada before settling in the United States.

Their final engagements as senior royals included attending the Commonwealth Day service in March 2020, where a striking photo was taken that seemingly captured the tense dynamics within the royal family.

The image shows Harry and Meghan walking behind the late Queen, Prince Charles, and Prince William as they leave Westminster Abbey. Commenting on the photo, royal expert Richard Eden noted Harry’s visibly stern expression, contrasting with the neutral faces of other family members. Meghan, however, appeared calm and content. “Look at Harry; he looks angry and bitter,” Eden observed. “But Meghan seems almost pleased, as if she’s achieved what she wanted.”

The commentator added that some speculated Meghan may have always planned this trajectory. “She married into the royal family, got her prince, and then took him back to America. That could explain the satisfaction on her face.”

On January 8, 2020, the couple released a statement announcing their plans to “step back as senior members of the Royal Family” and split their time between the U.K. and North America. They expressed a desire to create a “progressive new role” and become financially independent while continuing to support the Queen.