Meghan Markle Is Being Compared to Sarah Ferguson — Is This How Royal Exile Really Ends?

Royal commentators and media analysts are increasingly drawing comparisons between Meghan Markle and Sarah Ferguson, two women separated by a generation but linked by strikingly similar post-palace trajectories.

The renewed scrutiny centres on how former working duchesses navigate life after royal duties, from controversy around titles to high-profile media reinvention. The comparisons have prompted a broader debate about what 'royal exile' looks like in a modern monarchy that prizes discretion but commands global attention.

Why The Comparisons Are Resurfacing

The discussion has been reignited by Markle's continued visibility through media projects and public appearances, alongside ongoing debate over royal styling and boundaries. According to RadarOnline, royal watchers are increasingly drawing uneasy parallels between Markle's post-palace trajectory and that of Sarah Ferguson.

Royal watchers have pointed to familiar patterns, arguing that the Duchess of Sussex's post-royal life mirrors aspects of Ferguson's experience after her own departure from frontline royal duties in the 1990s. While the circumstances differ, the parallels have become harder for commentators to ignore.

Sarah Ferguson's Post-Royal Precedent

Ferguson's role as a working royal effectively ended following her divorce from Prince Andrew in 1996. Her life after the palace was marked by intense tabloid scrutiny, financial difficulties and controversy surrounding her personal associations. Despite no longer holding an official royal role, Ferguson continued to be publicly identified as a duchess, a point that has fuelled debate for decades.

She later pursued media ventures, including the reality series Finding Sarah, and found success in publishing through children's books and memoirs. These projects offered public insight into her personal struggles and attempts at reinvention, but they also attracted criticism for breaking with royal expectations of privacy and restraint.

Meghan Markle's Exit And Reinvention

Markle and Prince Harry stepped back from royal duties in January 2020 before relocating to California. The couple said the move would allow them to pursue financial independence while maintaining a connection to charitable work. Buckingham Palace later confirmed they would not use their HRH styling for commercial purposes, although their titles were not legally removed.

Since then, Markle has remained highly visible through a Netflix partnership, including Harry & Meghan and With Love, Meghan, alongside lifestyle ventures and publishing projects. Supporters see these moves as an assertion of independence, while critics argue they blur the line between royal identity and private enterprise.

Titles, HRH Status And Palace Boundaries

The use of titles has become a focal point of the comparison. In both cases, the HRH style was lost in practice rather than by law. Royal historians note that Queen Elizabeth II placed great emphasis on protocol, particularly regarding the commercial use of royal status.

The late Queen's statement that 'recollections may vary' following Markle and Harry's 2021 interview highlighted the palace's careful approach to public disputes.

Media Strategy As A Shared Thread

Another clear overlap lies in media strategy. Ferguson turned to reality television and publishing to regain control of her narrative after leaving royal life. Markle has similarly embraced long-form interviews and documentary storytelling, including the high-profile appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, which drew a global audience and prompted a rare formal response from the palace.

In both cases, the use of media has kept public attention firmly fixed on their post-royal identities, reinforcing the perception of parallel paths.

What 'Royal Exile' Means Today

Neither Markle nor Ferguson has been formally exiled or stripped of titles. Instead, analysts describe 'royal exile' as an informal condition marked by distance from official duties, constrained access to royal platforms and ongoing public debate.

As comparisons continue to circulate, the question remains whether this pattern reflects personal choice, institutional rigidity, or an unavoidable consequence of stepping away from the monarchy.