The Duke and the Duchess of Sussex had to deal with painful situations last year, from the moment they announced their intentions to quit royal life. Writing for Grazia, Carolyn Durand, co-author of Finding Freedom, explained what the couple had to deal with last year.

She quoted her co-author, Omid Scobie, who said the couple’s journey to success was a “painful” process.

He commented: “To be at the point they are at now, having set up an empire and a charity in just over nine months, shows just how hard they have worked to make this transition a success.

“But it’s taken a lot of work to get here. The journey has been painful.”

Ms Durand went on to explain that following their move from the UK to Vancouver and later to California, the couple lost a valuable member of their staff.

Explaining how the couple felt after their son Archie’s nanny’s departure, a friend of Meghan told the author: “It’s just been a lot.

“Their nanny moved back to the UK when they moved to LA because of the pandemic and restrictions left them feeling quite alone.

“Each move made them feel more displaced.”

Stepping back from their royal roles also meant that the couple had to give up honours and causes that were important to them.

The Duke was forced to give up his military honours and his role as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador.

A source close to Harry told Ms Durand: “It stung, and even today he has not been able to move on from that.

“Indeed, his service to the global veteran community – which inspired him to create the Invictus Games – was not only his most important legacy to date, it was also the most meaningful to him.

“However, while they only left with their private royal patronages in tow, the couple still maintained their future work would ‘continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty’.”

But despite suffering the consequences of their controversial decision the couple have “no regrets,” according to a source close to the Duke and the Duchess.

The source told ET Meghan and Harry “feel very rewarded from their work”.

The insider added that the pair have no set plans to return to the UK but they will watch closely any opportunity they have to visit for certain royal milestones.

They said: “Decisions will be made on a case by case basis and see where the medical protocols are around the time they decide to return. Certainly, the Duke and Duchess have their eye on the Invictus Games, Trooping The Colour and Prince Phillip’s birthday in June, and the unveiling of the Princess of Wales statue.”