Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to step away from royal duties has left the monarchy struggling to connect with younger generations, according to a royal author who claims the Sussexes' departure removed one of the institution's strongest links to modern audiences.
Catherine Mayer, author of Divide & Rule, said the couple's 2020 exit caused 'very serious damage' to the Royal Family, not because they were solely responsible for the crisis, but because they possessed a level of popularity and cultural influence that the monarchy has struggled to replace.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior working royals after citing intense media scrutiny and a lack of support from the palace.
Their move to California was followed by a series of public revelations, including their interview with Oprah Winfrey, their Netflix documentary and Prince Harry's memoir Spare, which further strained relations with the Royal Family.
Mayer argued that the fallout has affected the monarchy's ability to appeal to younger audiences, who were drawn to Harry and Meghan's more personal and modern approach.
Sussexes' Modern Image Left a Gap in the Monarchy
According to Mayer, Harry and Meghan had a unique ability to reach younger people because they represented a different style of royal presence, one focused on openness, personal experiences and global popularity.
'Undoubtedly, the Sussexes had an ability to connect with younger populations in a way that's not really there with the rest of the family,' Mayer told Fox News Digital.
She said the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, remain the royals best positioned to attract younger audiences, but their approach is more traditional.
'The only ones who can potentially do it are Kate and William, and they're more of a small "c" conservative in their approach,' she said.
Mayer added that the monarchy now faces a generational challenge, with William and Kate's children still too young to take on public roles, leaving a gap between the current senior royals and the future generation.
The Sussexes' popularity among some younger audiences came from their willingness to discuss personal struggles and challenge traditional expectations of royal life. However, critics argue their public criticisms of the institution damaged trust and created a lasting divide.
Royal Rift Continues To Shape the Monarchy's Future
Royal commentators remain divided over who is responsible for the damage caused by the family breakdown.
Royal expert Hilary Fordwich accused Harry and Meghan of deliberately harming the Royal Family, claiming their actions created long-term consequences.
'Harry and Meghan didn't just make a silly mistake,' Fordwich said. 'They have undertaken a fundamentally damaging, deliberate strategy to undermine the royals.'
Other experts believe the situation was more complicated, with Mayer arguing that Meghan faced significant challenges adapting to an institution built around tradition, hierarchy and duty.
She said members of the Royal Family become concerned when an individual appears to become more famous than the institution itself.
'The monarchy will always give preference to the monarch and the immediate heir,' Mayer said. 'Its members get very nervous when somebody feels bigger and more glamorous than the institution.'
The controversy has also highlighted the monarchy's wider struggle to balance its historic role with the expectations of a younger, more socially connected audience.
While King Charles and Prince William have continued with a more streamlined royal model, Harry and Meghan's departure remains a reminder of the difficulty of modernising an institution while protecting its traditions.
Despite reports of private efforts to improve family relations, experts say rebuilding trust will take time.
'Trust takes years to rebuild,' broadcaster Helena Chard said.
As the Royal Family looks towards the future, the central challenge remains whether it can regain the attention and connection of younger generations without the global appeal once brought by the Sussexes.
