STARK WARNING
I know why William was RIGHT to warn Harry about Meghan and their whirlwind romance, expert reveals
Watch The Sun's Royal Exclusive show above
PRINCE William was right to warn Harry about his whirlwind romance with Meghan, a royal expert has said.
Harry and Meghan dramatically quit their jobs as working royals in 2020 - just two years after their Windsor Castle wedding.
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Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond said Meghan should have been given more time to decide if she could "hack" being a royal.
She compared Harry and Meghan's hasty courtship with the slow-burn romance of William and Kate.
Speaking on The Sun's Royal Exclusive show, Bond said: "Kate was given ten years to peer into the goldfish bowl of royal life.
"I think it was brilliant she saw all the restrictions and glare of publicity it brings.
"Because their courtship was so long, she was able to judge that she could hack it - and William could see that too.
"This is why William was correct to guide or warn Harry 'Are you sure you're not going a bit fast in this relationship with Meghan?'
"It affronted Harry to be questioned like that but I think it came from a good place.
"If you look at the marriages which really have 'survived', Sophie Wessex is another example.
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"She again had a long courtship with Edward - they more or less lived together before marriage.
"That is one of the most delightfully happy marriages in the royal family."
Bond also told how she watched Harry grow up - and revealed why he'll never return to royal life.
The former BBC royal correspondent said Harry would be a "great asset" for the palace.
But she said California-based Harry now has the "domestic bliss" he lacked as a child.
Appearing on the latest episode of The Sun's Royal Exclusive show, Bond said: "I can't see Harry returning, really.
"And yes - I do miss him. Harry was the most popular royal a couple of years ago, wasn't he?
"Having watched him grow up and knowing him just a little bit, he was a wonderful little boy and a charming, jovial adolescent.
"At least that's what we saw. He was brilliant for the royal family, he did bring a natural common touch and relatability.
"They would have been a great asset had he stayed but I don't think he will return.
"If I did pray I would pray that he has a happy life now with all that he wanted.
"The freedom he craved, the wife he loves and the children he adores.
"The model of domestic bliss that he didn't have in his own adolescence.
"I wish him all the best."
It comes after Harry said he was unable to return with Meghan, Archie and Lilibet to the UK "because it is too dangerous".
Harry lost his legal fight against the removal of his taxpayer-funded UK security in February.
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The Sussexes were stripped of their round-the-clock protection when they stepped back from royal duties in 2020.
They now live in a mansion in Montecito with their two children, Archie and Lilibet.
Megxit timeline
- November 2016 - Harry formally reveals he is in a relationship with Suits actress Meghan Markle.
- September 2017 - Meghan tells Vanity Fair the couple are in love and happy together.
- September 2017 - The couple make their first public appearance together holding hands at the Invictus Games in Toronto.
- November 2017 - Prince Charles issues a statement revealing Harry and Meghan are engaged.
- May 2018 - Harry and Meghan tie the knot, becoming Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
- October 2018 - The couple announce they are expecting their first child while on their first overseas tour in Australia.
- March 2019 - Harry and Meghan set up their own household, splitting their joint operation with Prince William and Kate.
- May 2019 - Meghan gives birth to a baby boy named Archie.
- October 2019 - Harry reveals his rift with his brother William in a bombshell documentary.
- January 2020 - The couple stun the Queen by announcing plans to quit senior roles and settle in North America. After ten days of talks at Sandringham, it's agreed the couple will no longer be working royals and will give up their "Royal Highness" titles.
- March 2020 - Harry and Meghan carry out their last official engagement and move to California.
- September 2020 - Netflix announces a huge deal with the couple.
- February 2021 - Buckingham Palace announces the couple's split as working members of the monarchy is permanent and they will lose their royal patronages.
- March 2021 - The palace says it is "very concerned" about allegations of bullying made by former staff of Harry and Meghan, launching a probe.
- March 2021 - Meghan tells Oprah Winfrey Archie wasn’t made a prince after “concerns and conversations” about “how dark” his skin would be when he was born. She claims Kate "hurt her feelings" and made her cry before her wedding. Harry says Charles has stopped taking his calls and he has been "cut off" financially.
- January 2023 - Harry publishes his tell-all memoir Spare, launching scathing attacks on William, Kate and Camilla. He says he and William once got into a physical fight over Meghan.
- April 2023 - Harry has a "heart-to-heart" talk with his dad before agreeing to come to the Coronation in London.
- September 2023 - Harry rejects an offer to spend the anniversary of the Queen’s death at Balmoral with his father.
- February 2024 - Prince Harry flies to the UK to be with his father as royal experts claim their four-year rift could be put aside. They meet for half an hour before Harry flies home. He does not meet William.