Whether he met Meghan Markle or not, Prince Harry always had a desire to build another life for himself, a former palace official suggested.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's decision to step down as senior royals in early 2020 caused much drama, but for former royal pastry chef Fiona Burton, it was only a matter of time for Harry.

"Honestly, I think it was always going to happen with Harry," Barton, who worked in the royal kitchens around 2000, told Slingo (opens in new tab).

"He was always a rebel, someone who grew up in the tabloids. Sometimes I think he did that on purpose, and I don't know if that's true."

"I wasn't surprised [when he left] because he was the one who tried to be the most free of all of them.

"I don't think it matters who he married.

"He is who he is, and he has a strong independent streak, not wanting to be tied down to royalty. William is more like his father."

Of Harry's more relaxed personality, Barton reflected, "He's a little bit more relaxed. He was a bit comical and always reminded me of my grandfather."

The Sussexes stepped down from royal life in 2020, having "found freedom," as royal biographers Omid Scobie and Caroline Durand described it, but not all has been smooth sailing since.

The U.S.-based royal couple seems to be completely estranged from their British relatives, especially after the Oprah interview in 2021. Especially if that's what Harry had always wanted.