An expert suggests that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry could benefit from Princess Madeleine's choice to keep royal secrets.
Since 2018, Princess Madeleine and her family have resided in Florida before returning to Sweden.
The Swedes could teach the Duke and Duchess of Sussex a few things, according to several royal experts.
After Princess Madeleine of Sweden's birthday on June 10, the Royal House of Sweden announced that the 42-year-old and her husband, Christopher O’Neill, were returning to their home country after living in Florida with their three children.
In contrast to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who have been vocal about their struggles since relocating to California in 2020, several royal watchers noted how the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have maintained a low profile and kept their personal lives private while residing in the U.S.
Shannon Felton Spence, a former British public affairs official, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that Princess Madeleine and Chris do not seek fame.
"The grandchildren, including Madeleine's children, were stripped of their titles and HRH by the king several years ago. Despite this, there were no complaints from the Swedish court, as it was viewed as a generous gesture."
The youngest daughter of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, Madeleine, and her family, have been living in Florida since 2018. However, in March 2023, the Royal House of Sweden announced that the princess and her family were moving back to Sweden, with plans to relocate indefinitely. The move was originally scheduled for August 2023 but was pushed to this year.
"What drew Chris to Florida? There was a business link," Felton Spence stated. "They had previously resided in London and New York and frequently returned to Sweden for family events. Otherwise, they led ordinary lives abroad."
According to British royals expert Hilary Fordwich, there have been rumors that Madeleine is planning to relocate back to Sweden in order to expose her children to her culture and provide them with a Swedish education while they perfect their language skills.
"Christopher O'Neill, a highly educated and accomplished financier, declined both Swedish citizenship and an official title after marrying Princess Madeleine, as he was not allowed to hold jobs as a member of the Swedish royal family," she explained.
Fordwich stated that he is an illustration of someone marrying into royalty but remaining committed to their principles, rather than exploiting their royal connections.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex faced challenges while relocating to America.
The couple, who had been senior royals since 2014, announced in 2020 that they were stepping back from their roles due to unbearable intrusions and racist attitudes from the British media. Since then, they have been residing in the affluent coastal city of Montecito, where they have been raising their two children.
The couple has detailed their tumultuous relationship with the British royals in TV interviews and a documentary, and Harry's upcoming memoir "Spare" will reveal more about their family rifts and his dissatisfaction as a royal.
Since quitting royal duties, Harry, 39, has seen his father infrequently. In a recent interview with "Good Morning America," the prince stated that he believed his father's illness could help bring his family closer.
In February, Buckingham Palace revealed that King Charles III had been diagnosed with cancer and was receiving treatment. During his "benign prostate enlargement" procedure at the London Clinic, a "separate issue of concern" was discovered.
Despite facing scandal, Madeleine maintained a low profile and focused on her family and causes she cares about, as claimed by Christopher Andersen, author of "The King," in an interview with Planet Chronicle Digital.
"Andersen asserted that Princess Madeleine was likely prudent to leave Sweden and raise her family overseas, given that her father, King Carl XVI Gustaf, was implicated in a scandal involving sex parties and strip clubs in 2010. This revelation, which occurred during the early part of his reign, caused great embarrassment to his wife, Queen Silvia."
In 2010, "The Reluctant Monarch" book accused Carl Gustaf of having a secret love affair and frequenting strip clubs during foreign visits, which was reported by The San Diego Union-Tribune. However, critics argued that the allegations were not well-sourced and were merely baseless slander.
At his annual moose hunt, Carl Gustaf acknowledged the allegations and stated that his family was "moving forward."
Andersen said all eyes are now on Madeleine’s sister.
"Victoria, Madeleine's eldest sister, will inherit the throne and become the first reigning Swedish queen since 1654. However, she suffers from a rare disorder that makes it difficult for her to recognize faces, which is not ideal for someone destined to spend the rest of her life representing the monarchy at home and abroad."
Rumors have circulated that Victoria's marriage is in trouble," Andersen stated. "The previous year, her husband Daniel, a former gym owner, gave a rare TV interview denying rumors of divorce due to infidelity.
"In recent years, Sweden's monarchy has experienced a significant surge in popularity, with the king striving to improve his image over the past 15 years and his offspring being highly admired by the public."
In 2019, the palace declared that Madeleine's children and the children of her younger brother Prince Carl Philip were no longer considered official members of the royal family, as reported by People magazine. This meant they were no longer expected to perform official royal duties.
After the announcement, Madeleine spoke to her Instagram followers about the news.
"Today, the court announced that Leonore, Nicolas, and Adrienne will no longer be part of the royal family. This decision was made after careful planning and consideration. Chris and I believe that our children will have a better chance to forge their own paths as independent individuals in the future."
Despite losing their title of Royal Highness, Madeleine's children will retain their titles of prince and princess. However, these titles will become personal, and any future spouses or children won't have a right to them.
"Andersen speculated that if she resumes her role as a working royal, her status may be restored. If this occurs, it could potentially serve as a model for Harry and Meghan's potential return to royal life, provided they are interested."
The couple, Madeleine and Christopher, made their engagement official after two years of dating. The U.S. financier, who holds dual British-American citizenship, requested permission from the king to marry the princess, which was granted, according to People magazine.
Since he is not a blood relative, he could never be a king.
Despite rumors of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex considering living part-time in the U.K., Harry has confirmed that he is not looking for property in his home country. In April, the prince officially declared himself a U.S. resident.
Harry's role as one of the king's counselors of state is further distinguished by the filing.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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