A complete timeline of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's first year since leaving the royal family

Anneta Konstantinides,Mikhaila FrielJan 16, 2021, 22:49 IST

Insider took a look at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's first year of freedom.Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

It's been a year since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from royal life.
In that time, Harry and Markle moved to California and dealt with ongoing lawsuits with UK tabloids.
They signed deals with Netflix and Spotify, and spoke about the US election and Black Lives Matter.

Before the pandemic took over the news in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's exit from the royal family dominated headlines.

Since the announcement of their departure last January, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have had quite the year, dealing with lawsuits, royal rifts, and major deals with Netflix and Spotify. And their son Archie took his first steps.

They've traded Frogmore Cottage for a Santa Barbara mansion, and are using their newfound freedom to speak on everything from the US presidential election to Black Lives Matter.

Here's a timeline of the couple's first year since their royal exit.

Just days into 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced that they were taking a "step back" from the royal family.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they were stepping back from the royal family on January 8, 2020. Frank Augstein/AP

On January 13, Prince Harry and Prince William released a rare joint statement addressing a news story about their rumored rift.

Prince Harry and Prince William watching England v Wales at the Rugby World Cup in 2015. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

That same day, Queen Elizabeth II broke her silence and said she supported Harry and Markle's decision to step back from the royal family.

Queen Elizabeth II made a rare personal statement to show support to her grandson and Markle. DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images

On January 19, Prince Harry delivered an emotional speech about his decision to step back from his royal duties.

The Duke of Sussex makes a speech as his charity Sentebale held an event on January 19, 2020. Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Sentebale

On February 6, Harry and Markle made their first public appearance since their royal exit during an event in Miami.

During a private JPMorgan event in Miami, Harry told the crowd he stepped down as a senior royal to protect his family. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Later that month, Queen Elizabeth II blocked the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from using the name "Sussex Royal" for their future projects.

Following the Queen's decision, Harry and Markle confirmed they were changing the name of their brand. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

In March, Markle and Prince Harry returned to the UK for their final engagements as senior royals - and looked happier than ever.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle both wore blue to The Endeavour Fund Awards. Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

Harry and Markle continued to put on a united front as they wore coordinated outfits to the Mountbatten Festival of Music on March 7.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Mountbatten Festival of Music on March 7. Karwai Tang/Getty Images

At Harry and Markle’s final royal engagement on March 9, the rift between the royal family was apparent as Prince William and Kate Middleton didn’t speak to them or even make eye contact.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Prince William, and Kate Middleton at the Commonwealth Service in March 2020. Getty/Phil Harris

At Harry and Markle’s final royal engagement on March 9, the rift between the royal family was apparent as Prince William and Kate Middleton didn’t speak to them or even make eye contact.

Two days after the couple's exit became official on April 1, Markle's first project post-royal life was revealed.

Markle's first project after leaving the royal family was a voice-over role in a Disney film. Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images

Later that month, Harry and Markle announced they were launching the nonprofit Archewell - named after their son Archie.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with their son Archie in 2019. Toby Melville - Pool/Getty Images

On April 20, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex officially cut off all contact with four British tabloids.

Harry and Markle cut ties with the Sun, the Daily Mail, the Daily Mirror, and the Daily Express. Dominic Lipinski/Getty Images

On May 6, Harry and Markle shared a rare video of Archie to celebrate his first birthday.

Markle read "Duck! Rabbit!" for Archie's first birthday. SaveTheChildren/YouTube

On June 4, Markle gave an emotional speech about the death of George Floyd.

Markle spoke about George Floyd's murder while addressing graduating students from her former high school. Omid Scobie/Twitter

On June 20, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex cut ties with the royal family's law firm.

A source told the Daily Mail that Harry and Markle were "on an independent path." Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

On June 25, it was announced that Harry and Markle had signed with a speaking agency that represents the Obamas and Clintons.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in December 2017. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

On July 1, Prince Harry used his speech during the Diana Awards to speak out on the importance of Black Lives Matter.

Prince Harry shared a virtual message during the Diana Awards in July. Omid Scobie/Twitter

On July 2, new court documents revealed that Markle had felt "unprotected" by the royal family as she faced relentless media scrutiny.

Court papers said that stories by the UK tabloid media had caused the Duchess of Sussex "tremendous emotional distress." Anthony Devlin/Karwai Tang/Getty Images

Later that month, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex purchased their first home together in Santa Barbara, California.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in October 2018. Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

On August 4, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and Queen Elizabeth II wished Markle a happy birthday on social media.

Multiple members of the royal family publicly wished Markle a happy birthday. Karwai Tang/Getty Images

In August, Markle defied the royal family's strict rule about getting involved with politics and revealed she would vote in the next US election.

Markle said she knew what it was like to feel "voiceless." Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

On August 5, Markle won a bid to protect the identities of five of her friends amid the ongoing Mail on Sunday legal battle.

Markle believed that the paper was threatening to publish the names of her friends who had defended the duchess in an interview with People. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Later that month, Markle sat down with icon Gloria Steinem and called Prince Harry a feminist.

Meghan Markle and Gloria Steinem. MAKERS/Facebook

On August 31, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex planted flowers in honor of Princess Diana on the anniversary of her death.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle plant flowers at the Preschool Learning Center in Los Angeles. Matt Sayles via The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

On September 2, it was announced that Harry and Markle had founded their own production company and signed a multiyear deal with Netflix.

Harry and Markle said they wanted to make inspirational family programming. Samir Hussein/WireImage

Days later it was announced that Harry and Markle had paid back the $3 million of taxpayer's money they used to renovate Frogmore Cottage, their royal residence.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex formerly resided at Frogmore Cottage. GOR/Getty Images

On September 22, Harry joined Markle in urging Americans to vote in the US presidential election.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle encouraged Americans to vote in the TIME 100 video. TIME/YouTube

In October, the duke and duchess had a virtual chat with activist Malala Yousafzai and spoke about seeing their son Archie grow up.

Malala Yousafzai, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle discussed girls' access to education. Malala Fund/YouTube

Later that month, it was announced that Markle's ongoing privacy trial with the Mail on Sunday would be delayed at least nine months.

Markle's trial was pushed back for confidential reasons. Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images

In November, it was reported that the royal family was upset that they were missing out on the chance to watch Archie grow up.

A source said that Prince Charles was especially missing his grandson. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge/Twitter

On November 8, it was revealed that Prince Harry's request to take part in the royal family's Remembrance Sunday service had been turned down.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle laid flowers at the Los Angeles National Cemetery to mark Remembrance Day. Lee Morgan/The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

On November 25, Markle penned a candid New York Times op-ed article that revealed she'd had a miscarriage in July.

"I knew, as I clutched my firstborn child, that I was losing my second," Markle wrote. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

In December, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex sent out their first family Christmas card from the US.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with Archie in 2019. Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

On December 29, Harry and Markle released the first episode of the new podcast Archewell Audio on Spotify.

The couple's son Archie publicly spoke for the first time on the podcast. Pool/Samir Hussein via Getty Images

In January 2021, it was reported that Harry and Markle would be expected to attend the Queen's 95th birthday celebrations in June.

If Harry and Markle are able to attend the event on June 12, it also means they will likely be there to celebrate Prince Philip's 100th birthday as well. James Devaney/FilmMagic/Getty Images, Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

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A complete timeline of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's first year since leaving the royal family

Just days into 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced that they were taking a "step back" from the royal family.

On January 13, Prince Harry and Prince William released a rare joint statement addressing a news story about their rumored rift.

That same day, Queen Elizabeth II broke her silence and said she supported Harry and Markle's decision to step back from the royal family.

On January 19, Prince Harry delivered an emotional speech about his decision to step back from his royal duties.

On February 6, Harry and Markle made their first public appearance since their royal exit during an event in Miami.

Later that month, Queen Elizabeth II blocked the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from using the name "Sussex Royal" for their future projects.

In March, Markle and Prince Harry returned to the UK for their final engagements as senior royals - and looked happier than ever.

Harry and Markle continued to put on a united front as they wore coordinated outfits to the Mountbatten Festival of Music on March 7.

At Harry and Markle’s final royal engagement on March 9, the rift between the royal family was apparent as Prince William and Kate Middleton didn’t speak to them or even make eye contact.

Two days after the couple's exit became official on April 1, Markle's first project post-royal life was revealed.

Later that month, Harry and Markle announced they were launching the nonprofit Archewell - named after their son Archie.

On April 20, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex officially cut off all contact with four British tabloids.

On May 6, Harry and Markle shared a rare video of Archie to celebrate his first birthday.

On June 4, Markle gave an emotional speech about the death of George Floyd.

On June 20, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex cut ties with the royal family's law firm.

On June 25, it was announced that Harry and Markle had signed with a speaking agency that represents the Obamas and Clintons.

On July 1, Prince Harry used his speech during the Diana Awards to speak out on the importance of Black Lives Matter.

On July 2, new court documents revealed that Markle had felt "unprotected" by the royal family as she faced relentless media scrutiny.

Later that month, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex purchased their first home together in Santa Barbara, California.

On August 4, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and Queen Elizabeth II wished Markle a happy birthday on social media.

In August, Markle defied the royal family's strict rule about getting involved with politics and revealed she would vote in the next US election.

On August 5, Markle won a bid to protect the identities of five of her friends amid the ongoing Mail on Sunday legal battle.

Later that month, Markle sat down with icon Gloria Steinem and called Prince Harry a feminist.

On August 31, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex planted flowers in honor of Princess Diana on the anniversary of her death.

On September 2, it was announced that Harry and Markle had founded their own production company and signed a multiyear deal with Netflix.

Days later it was announced that Harry and Markle had paid back the $3 million of taxpayer's money they used to renovate Frogmore Cottage, their royal residence.

On September 22, Harry joined Markle in urging Americans to vote in the US presidential election.

In October, the duke and duchess had a virtual chat with activist Malala Yousafzai and spoke about seeing their son Archie grow up.

Later that month, it was announced that Markle's ongoing privacy trial with the Mail on Sunday would be delayed at least nine months.

In November, it was reported that the royal family was upset that they were missing out on the chance to watch Archie grow up.

On November 8, it was revealed that Prince Harry's request to take part in the royal family's Remembrance Sunday service had been turned down.

On November 25, Markle penned a candid New York Times op-ed article that revealed she'd had a miscarriage in July.

In December, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex sent out their first family Christmas card from the US.

On December 29, Harry and Markle released the first episode of the new podcast Archewell Audio on Spotify.

In January 2021, it was reported that Harry and Markle would be expected to attend the Queen's 95th birthday celebrations in June.