Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 'marriage makeover' as they try to get 'back to what they were'

It's five years in January since Harry and Meghan dramatically stepped down as senior royals - and as part of a big reset, they're working on their marriage, claims a source

It’s almost Christmas - but once the festivities are over and life settles back to a normal pace, next year may prove to be a landmark moment for a certain royal and his wife. Next year marks five years since the Sussexes, Prince Harry and former Suits actress Meghan Markle, dramatically stepped away from duties as senior members of the royal family and swapped the UK for California.

According to a source, the anniversary might signal a massive reset for the couple and their young family - in more ways than one. “It will be five years since Meghan and Harry quit the royals in January - and while they say it was the best decision for them, there’s no denying it’s been very hard and stressful for them at times, which has often put them on the brink”, the source claimed to OK!. “Five years is a long time and so much has changed since they left and there has been so much pressure on them to succeed.”

Some of that pressure no doubt comes from the persistent rumours about an impending divorce, which Harry recently jokingly alluded to, and continuing friction with his family back in Britain. The new year marks a time for reflection and change for many, and our source claims the famous pair have decided to dedicate more time to their marriage - and give it something of a makeover, as they approach the new year.

“They are using this time to work out what they really want and put more effort back into their marriage and give it a bit of a makeover. They admit that sometimes their relationship suffers because they’re too busy with work and their kids - but having seen what they have achieved in the past half decade, they’ve realised that they want to get back to how they were, and that takes work.”

The couple were clear when they stepped back from royal duties that their future lay across the Atlantic in America, which is now the only home Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lillibet, 3, have ever known. And, while their set-up in their £11 million mansion seems idyllic - particularly with Meghan’s mum, Doria, nearby to lend a hand with the kids and offer moral support, it has not always seemed like the Californian dream they may have dreamed of.

In the recent controversial German documentary Harry – The Lost Prince, Meghan was dealt a blow - and reportedly felt betrayed - when neighbours of the couple claimed that she ‘isolated’ herself, did not get involved with the community, and very much kept to herself. However, given she and Harry have publicly declared their wish and need for privacy, particularly for their young children, it’s perhaps understandable. Family dramas and bombshell documentaries aside, our source claims the couple have now decided it’s time to inject some fun into their lives - and have implemented some rules to make sure it happens.

“Meghan always worried that Harry would regret moving to America - but she knows he's here for the long-term, even though it took him a while to adapt. And they now want to have more fun together,” the source said. “They have promised more date nights and weekends away together now that the kids are that bit older. And they are going to be as honest as possible and to have more couple friends.”

Aside from Archie and Lillibet’s grandmother, the couple appear to lack family support over the pond, particularly as Meghan is estranged from her father Tomas and half-sister, Samantha The source added: “They are both aware that they don’t have much family so want to make friends that feel like family and finally feel they can work out who is genuine.”

The source also said the pair are keen to bring their children to Europe more, and make use of the property they recently bought in Portugal. The yet-to-be-constructed home in the small town of Melides was widely thought to be a possible olive branch to their UK royal relatives, who they’ve rarely seen since making explosive allegations of how they were treated while being working members of the royal family.

“They also want to do more family trips to Europe and stay at their home in Portugal, which might even result in a reconciliation with Harry’s family, eventually. But they have promised to put each other first and do what is best for them as a couple and family.”

Meghan, 43, once likened herself and her husband to salt and pepper as they always "move together". Yet, while there hasn’t been a lack of sightings of Harry and Meghan, and they’ve both happily been photographed on a red carpet or event stage - they haven’t been seen together in public since their joint tour of Columbia in the summer.

Their solo schedules have fuelled even more talk of them living separate lives, but our source claims that even “as the cracks have started to show”, the rumours should be taken with a heavy pinch of salt. “They have started to have more separate lives as they both embark on their different adventures and it’s caused some issues.”

'They appear to have been leading more separate lives and may continue to do so professionally, but personally want to spend more time together – like any couple who are parents and lead busy lives, they sometimes feel there isn't enough time for themselves as a couple.”

After a rollercoaster five years, only time will tell whether 2025 will be as transformative - both for Harry and Meghan as a couple, and for their relationships with the outside world, the royals back in the UK included…