'Prince Harry told me a huge secret about royal life years before meeting Meghan'

Before Prince Harry met his wife Meghan Markle and quit the Royal Family for a new life in California, he reportedly opened up about wanting to jump ship from royal duties

Prince Harry expressed an inner desire to jump ship before he met Meghan Markle, a royal correspondent claims.

The Duke of Sussex, 40, met the former Suits actress in July 2016 and they tied the knot two years later. But years before the couple quit life as working royals in 2020 and moved to sunny California, Harry reportedly shared how he'd "love to move away" in a candid conversation away from the cameras.

The chat came during a trip to New Zealand in 2015, shortly after the birth of Prince William and Princess Kate's second child, Princess Charlotte. Around that time, Harry announced the news of a second Invictus Games and his older brother moved to Norfolk. It was a busy time for the Royal Family.

Royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills has now recalled a conversation she had with Harry. Speaking on The Sun's Royal Exclusive Show, she shared: "I said to him, 'Have you ever thought about moving away?' He was like, 'Yes, I'd love to. I'd love to move away. But I can't because of what I need to do to support the Queen'."

Ms Mills said the message 'stuck with her' and explained that he said it candidly away from the cameras. "So whenever anyone says to me, that it was Meghan's fault they left, that conversation always springs to mind because he always had it in him - this potential to jump," she went on.

"I think Meghan came along and said, 'Hold my hand and we'll jump together'." Ms Mills also asked Harry if he would like to have children and she said he replied: "I'd love to have kids right now, but there's a process that you have to go through", which raised eyebrows, but he explained he wanted to have someone to support him.

The insight comes as Harry and Meghan are set to make very important public appearances next week. But rather than appearing side-by-side, the once-inseparable pair are going solo yet again with events that are coasts apart.

Next Wednesday (December 4), Meghan is expected to appear at a glitzy Hollywood party honouring her celeb pal Tyler Perry. Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in New York, Harry will be at The New York Times DealBook Conference. The surprising diary decision is just the latest in a string of solo appearances for the couple.

It is a marked difference from just two years ago when Meghan once likened herself and her husband to salt and pepper as they always "move together". Now, Meghan is gearing up to launch her brand American Rivieria Orchard next year, while Harry's Invictus Games will take place in February in Vancouver and Whistler in Canada.